The Kuteb ethnic group in the Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State has disclosed reasons for their boycott of a recent kingmakers meeting organized by the Bureau for Traditions, Chieftaincy, and Local Government Affairs. The group, known for their rich cultural heritage, opted to abstain from the meeting convened by the bureau in Jalingo, the state capital. Speaking to journalists in Jalingo on Wednesday, the Kuteb Yatso of Nigeria expressed strong opposition to the meeting, labeling it as unacceptable. Led by their President, Emmanuel Ukwen, the group vehemently opposed the bureau’s decision to convene the gathering, citing its contradiction…
Author: Ifeanyi Nwagboso
The House of Representatives has summoned the Minister of Blue Economy and Transport, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, along with other top officials, to address concerns over the handling of concessions of port infrastructure in Nigeria. The Chairman of the House Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation, Rep. Ibrahim Hamisu, expressed reservations about the methodology used in the concession of seaport terminals. Others summoned include the Managing Director of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Mr. Muhammed Koko, the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprise, Mr. Mamman Ahmadu, and the Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Mr. Michael Ohiani. Rep. Hamisu…
The Enugu State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly criticized Mr. Osita Okechukwu, a former Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), accusing him of consistently hurling insults and making baseless allegations against leaders of the party in the South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The party condemned Okechukwu’s recent attack on the leader of the APC in the South East and the governor of Imo State, Sen Hope Uzodimma, where Okechukwu called for the governor to resign as the Chairman of Progressive Governors’ Forum. In a statement signed by Chief Mike Ezeanyanwu, the publicity secretary of…
Mr. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the last general election, has reiterated that his ambition is not driven by a desperation for the presidency, but rather by a strong desire to see Nigeria thrive. Speaking in Abuja at the annual Leadership Conference and Awards where he was named the ‘Leadership Politician of the Year 2023,’ Obi emphasized the need for a functional Nigeria that works for all its citizens. “I am not desperate to be president, I am desperate to make Nigeria work,” Obi affirmed, highlighting the importance of engaging young Nigerians productively to…
President Bola Tinubu has challenged the perception of economic distress in Nigeria, highlighting the progress of his administration and the opportunities for growth and development in the country. Speaking at the Leadership Conference and Awards, 2023, in Abuja, Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, shared key initiatives and investments aimed at supporting Nigerian businesses, students, and vulnerable households, as well as enhancing food security and attracting foreign direct investment. Tinubu stated, “I should start by respectfully challenging that notion that the Nigerian economy is in distress. Distress suggests helplessness, being at the mercy of…
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced the resumption of visa services for Nigerian citizens, marking the end of a two-year visa ban on Nigerians. The ban, which was imposed in 2022 and resulted in the automatic rejection of pending visa applications, was lifted on March 4, 2024. In a joint announcement titled ‘Resumption of Visa Services for Nigerians Travelling to the UAE,’ the governments of Nigeria and the UAE expressed their commitment to strengthening ties, enhancing cultural exchanges, and fostering opportunities for economic and social collaborations. As part of the resumption process, the UAE has introduced an enhanced document…
Governor Umar Bago of Niger State has clarified misconceptions regarding the state’s stance on the mass purchase of food items from the state to other states in the country. He told reporters on Monday that he had only stopped bulk purchases of food from local markets to neighboring countries. The governor recently halted the bulk purchase of food from local markets in the state. However, some reports claimed that Bago had banned the sale and purchase of foods in bulk from Niger State to other Nigerian states. Governor Bago emphasized that food items purchased in Niger State markets are not…
In a unanimous decision, the United States Supreme Court has ruled in favor of former President Donald Trump, allowing him to remain on the 2024 primary ballot in Colorado. The court’s ruling has significant implications for similar challenges in other states. The case centered around Article 3 of the 14th Amendment, which prohibits individuals who “engaged in insurrection” from holding public office again. Colorado had argued that Trump’s actions leading up to the January 6 Capitol riots constituted an insurrection and therefore warranted his removal from the state’s ballot. However, the Supreme Court concluded that while states have the power…
Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has condemned some Igbos for applauding Israel’s actions in Gaza. He described it as “completely unacceptable” and highlighted the irony of the situation. In a post on his social media handle, Fani-Kayode expressed dismay over the support some Igbos have shown towards Israel, despite the historical context of suffering experienced by the Igbo people. He referenced the Nigerian Civil War, where millions of Igbos were killed between 1967 and 1970, describing it as “the worst form of ethnic cleansing that Africa has ever seen.” Fani-Kayode criticized the adoption of Jewish faith and identification as…
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has announced the impending appointment of nine Permanent Secretaries for the nine Secretariats of the FCT Administration. This move, according to Wike, is in line with the provisions of the FCT Civil Service Commission Act, 2018, which President Bola Tinubu has approved for implementation. Speaking in Abuja on Monday after inspecting some road projects, Wike stated that the President’s decision aligns with his ‘Renewed Hope Agenda.’ The most senior directors in the FCTA will be appointed as permanent secretaries for the secretariats, including those for Agriculture, Transport and Economic Planning, Revenue…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has demanded that Governor Hyacinth Alia provide a detailed account of how he expended N44 billion in special intervention grants received from the Federal Government between August 2023 and 2024. The call was made in response to comments by the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Senator Tilley Gyado, who disclosed at a stakeholders meeting in Makurdi that N44 billion in intervention funds had accrued to the state in the past nine months. Senator Gyado listed the funds as N5 billion post-subsidy removal, N9 billion infrastructural funds, and…
A civil society organization, the Northern Initiative for the Defence of Democracy and Justice, has accused the Court of Appeal of usurping the powers of the Kogi State Governorship Petition Tribunal. The Coordinator of the group, Nureeddeen Sadiq, while addressing a press conference in Abuja, expressed concern over the Appeal Court’s decision to revise and overrule the earlier decision of the Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal. The group raised alarm over the potential implications of such interference on the judiciary and the country as a whole. According to the group, the Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal had earlier…
Former United States Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, has emerged victorious over Donald Trump in the Republican primary in Washington, DC. Despite losing in her home state of South Carolina, Haley’s win in Washington, DC, marks a significant milestone as she becomes the first woman to win a Republican primary in US history. While Haley secured 62.9% of the vote in Washington, DC, Trump garnered 33.2%. However, Trump maintains a substantial lead over Haley nationwide, with 247 delegates compared to her 43. The victory in Washington, DC, is largely symbolic, given the city’s strong Democratic leanings, with only about…
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged its members in Ondo State to remain focused as the party seeks to rescue the state from the alleged incompetence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration. According to a statement by Debo Ologunagba, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, the Acting National Chairman, Umar Iliya Damagum, and other NWC members will be meeting with critical party stakeholders from Ondo State to ensure the success of the party in the November 16 governorship election. The meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, aligns with the approved timetable and schedule…
Major General Mohammed Aminu Abdullahi, the Commandant of Depot Nigerian Army, has announced that approximately 12,500 soldiers were trained in the year 2023. He emphasized that these trained soldiers are currently playing significant roles in the defense and security of Nigeria. Speaking at the 2023 West African Social Activities (WASA) held at the depot parade ground in Zaria, Major General Mohammed Aminu Abdullahi disclosed that the trained soldiers were deployed to various operations and units within the Nigerian Army. He also mentioned that another round of training is underway for the 86th Regular Recruits Intake. “In 2024, Depot Nigerian Army…
Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State, Stanley Okoro Emegha, has called on the former Deputy Whip of the state House of Assembly, Frank Onwe, to support Governor Nwifuru’s peace-building efforts in his community, Effium, in the Ohaukwu council area. Emegha made this appeal during Onwe’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC. He emphasized that the state government, led by Governor Nwifuru, cannot achieve absolute peace and tranquillity without the support of major stakeholders and the indigenous people of the area. Expressing gratitude for Onwe’s decision to join the APC, Emegha urged everyone…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has invited Nigerians to provide feedback on the outcomes of its 293rd Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, which took place recently. In a post on its official handle onCentral Bank of Nigeria Seeks Public Input on Recent Monetary Policy Decisions Monday, the CBN encouraged the public to share their opinions on the decisions made during the meeting. “The Central Bank of Nigeria recently held its 293rd Monetary Policy Committee meeting. Kindly fill out the survey using the attached link to share your views about the decisions made at the meeting,” the post on CBN’s…
The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Aderemi Adeoye, has called on residents of Onitsha to abide by the law to ensure a peaceful environment for business activities. Adeoye made this plea during a working visit to Onitsha on Monday, a day when the sit-at-home order is typically observed in the Southeast region. The purpose of the visit was to assess the security situation in the commercial city firsthand. During his visit, the commissioner met with shuttle drivers operating in the Upper Iweka area of the town. He urged residents to assist the police by providing credible information to combat…
The Taraba State government has expressed disappointment after the Kuteb ruling house boycotted a meeting organized by the Bureau of Traditional, Chieftaincy, and Local Government Affairs. The meeting was intended to discuss the rotation of the Takum stool among the three major tribes in the council. The absence of the Kuteb kingmakers from the meeting has cast a shadow over the installation of a first-class monarch in the area. Despite this setback, Governor Dr. Agbu Kafes assured that the absence of the Kuteb ruling house would not impede the ongoing peace-building efforts initiated by the government in response to the…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) and its gubernatorial candidate in the November 2023 Bayelsa State election, Timipre Sylva, have passed a vote of no confidence on the Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal. They accused the tribunal, led by Justice Adekunle Adeleye, of bias in its conduct, findings, and decisions, and demanded its immediate disbandment and reconstitution. In a petition addressed to the President of the Court of Appeal, the APC and Sylva alleged that the tribunal denied them their constitutional right to a fair hearing. They claimed that the tribunal imposed impossible tasks, such as requiring them to call…