The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to launching the Student Loan Scheme this January, assuring prospective beneficiaries that the initiative remains on schedule. According to the government, students who apply through the forthcoming website can expect to access the loan within 30 days of their application. Dr. Yusuf Sununu, the Minister of State for Education, made this announcement to reporters following the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday. He emphasized that the website for the scheme is nearing completion and will soon be ready for student applications. “January is a reality. Already the website is almost done. Application for…
Author: Ifeanyi Nwagboso
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, has concluded his case against Lilian Onoh, a former Nigerian ambassador to Jamaica and Namibia, regarding allegations of defamation. The closure of the suit followed a cross-examination on Friday before Justice Keziah Ogbonnaya of a Federal Capital Territory High Court at Zuba in Abuja on allegations of financial misappropriation at Nigerian embassies in Jamaica and Namibia. Onyeama, who served during the Muhammadu Buhari administration, had taken legal action against Onoh after she accused him of condoning grand corruption at Nigerian foreign missions. Onoh, who is Onyeama’s sister-in-law, allegedly sponsored newspaper articles critical of…
Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has officially assumed office as the fifth democratically-elected Governor of Kogi State. The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Muhammadu Buhari Civic Centre in Lokoja, the State capital, where he was administered the oath of office by the Kogi State Chief Judge, Justice Josiah Mejabi. The ceremony, which commenced at 2:18 pm, saw Elder Joel Salifu Oyibo, the Deputy Governor, taking his oath before Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, who followed suit at exactly 2:27 pm. The event was marked by jubilation from a large crowd of dignitaries and well-wishers. Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Ahmed…
The Abia State Police Command has apprehended four individuals disguised in Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) uniforms who were operating with a toy gun. According to a statement released by the Command, the arrests were made following credible intelligence received by the Central Police Station, Umuahia. The statement, signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Maureen Chinaka, revealed that the four-man gang in EFCC uniforms had reportedly visited Enyioma Christ Lodge, Umudike, where they robbed students at gunpoint and forced them to transfer a total of N120,000 to their bank account. Upon receiving the information, officers from…
The Nigerian Army has announced significant achievements in its operations in the North-West region, including the elimination of 10 terrorists and the arrest of a notorious bandit leader. The Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Operation Hadarin Daji, Capt. Yagata Ibrahim, disclosed this in a statement released on Saturday in Gusau. According to Ibrahim, the troops conducted successful clearance operations in Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Katsina States, resulting in the arrest of arms smugglers and the recovery of ammunition. He highlighted the army’s commitment to ongoing coordinated dry season operations in the region. In a recent operation on January…
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has conferred the instruments of office on six traditional rulers from the Oke-Ogun geopolitical zone of the state. The presentation of the instruments of office took place between Thursday and Friday. The newly appointed traditional rulers are Chief Oyelowo Joseph Oyetunde – Apeerin of Saki; Prince James Okanlawon Adigun – Lasigbon-Kinnikinni of Saki; Alhaji Jimoh Adeola Ayiki – Baale Oke-Oro; Alhaji Raimi Aiki Boorepo – Baale-Iya of Saki; Oba Abiodun Oyerinde Owolabi (Oyekuleyin l) – Onibise of Ibise-Otu; and Chief Thomas Opoola Olaore (Ariina lll) – Baale of Komu. Governor Makinde, represented by the…
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, has pledged to investigate corruption allegations leveled against the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla. This commitment was conveyed in a statement by the Director of Information, Press, and Public Relations of the ministry, Mr. Henshaw Ogubike. Matawalle emphasized the administration’s zero tolerance for corruption in the public service under President Bola Tinubu. He acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations against Vice Admiral Ogalla and stressed the ministry’s dedication to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and accountability within the Nigerian Armed Forces. The minister emphasized the need for…
Former Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo, has taken legal action against his recent impeachment by filing a suit in the state High Court. This move comes after Oluomo’s silence following his sudden impeachment, as reported by the media. The impeachment, which took place on Tuesday, was based on allegations of arrogance and highhandedness, among others. Oluomo contends that his removal did not follow due process, prompting him to seek redress in court. Oluomo, who is facing charges of alleged financial misappropriation amounting to N2.5 billion brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently announced a significant reduction of 60% in the travel expenditure of government officials. This decision aims to streamline expenses and enhance fiscal responsibility in governance. According to Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, the new travel guidelines stipulate that for foreign trips, the President will be accompanied by 20 persons, while the Vice President will have a team of just five. For local trips, the President will travel with 25 persons, the Vice President with 15, and the First Lady with 10. However, during President Tinubu’s visit to Imo…
Caleb Mutfwang, the Governor of Plateau State, has raised concerns over the infiltration of Nigeria’s security agencies by individuals with dubious motives. He alleged that some security operatives are colluding with criminals and compromising their colleagues, leading to lapses in security operations. In a statement he signed, Governor Mutfwang emphasized the need for President Bola Tinubu to direct security agencies to exercise due diligence in their recruitment processes. He stated, “There are many people in the security agencies who should not be there; they are agents of these criminals, and sometimes they even compromise their colleagues. That is why you…
Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has attributed the violence affecting the peaceful conduct of elections in Nigeria to politicians rather than the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Ganduje made this assertion during a visit by INEC’s election and party monitoring team to the APC National Secretariat in Abuja. The visit was part of the mandatory annual verification of political parties conducted by INEC. Assuring INEC of the APC’s commitment to active participation beyond election periods, Ganduje stated, “We are developing what we call the National Institute for Progressive Studies in order to teach our…
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has raised concerns over the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) proposed relocation of some key departments from Abuja to Lagos State, cautioning that such a move could result in a brain drain. NEF expressed apprehension that the relocation might disrupt the CBN’s operations, potentially impacting its overall performance and efficiency. Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, the Director of Publicity and Advocacy of NEF, highlighted several potential consequences of the move. Suleiman stated, “Relocating key departments to Lagos may lead to a loss of skilled employees who are unable or unwilling to relocate. This brain drain could negatively impact…
The Nigeria Premier Football League board has issued a stern warning, stating that any club failing to participate in the youth league will face sanctions. The announcement came after NPFL Chairman, Honorable Gbenga Elegbeleye, convened with the youth league organizers in Abuja. Elegbeleye emphasized the critical role of the youth league in shaping the future of Nigerian football. “Participation in this first edition of the Youth League is compulsory for all 20 NPFL Clubs, and there will be serious sanctions for any club that, for whatever reason, fails to present their Youth team for the competition,” he stated to the…
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has taken a significant step by granting emergency measures against Israel in a genocide case initiated by South Africa. However, the court stopped short of ordering Israel to suspend its military campaign in Gaza. In its ruling, the ICJ mandated Israel to “ensure with immediate effect that its military does not commit any acts” that could violate the Genocide Convention. The court emphasized the urgency of implementing provisional measures, citing the serious risk of further deterioration in the situation in Gaza. The case stemmed from South Africa’s plea to the court to issue “provisional…
The Rivers State House of Assembly has taken a decisive step by voting to override Governor Sim Fubara’s decision to withhold his assent on four key laws passed by the lawmakers. The laws in question are the Rivers State Funds Management and Financial Autonomy Law 2023, the Rivers State Local Government Amendment Law 2023, the Rivers State Advertisement and Use of State-Owned Property Prohibition Repeal Law 2024, and the Traditional Rulers Amendment Law 2024. The decision to override the governor’s veto came amid heightened political tensions in the state, particularly between Governor Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory…
Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, has declared his unwavering determination to contest and win the upcoming September 21 governorship election, stating that no individual or group can intimidate him out of the race. Shaibu made this assertion while returning his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nomination form for the gubernatorial election at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Thursday. Expressing confidence in his ability to secure victory at the polls, Shaibu claimed to possess all the necessary qualities to emerge victorious. He also voiced concerns about the influence of monetary inducements on some party elders, suggesting that they had…
Elder statesman Chief Edwin Clark has accused Nyesom Wike, the immediate past governor of Rivers State and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCT), of being unready to sustain peace amidst the political crisis in the state. In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, Clark asserted that Wike’s ongoing activities were clear indications that he is not committed to peace in Rivers State. The crisis in Rivers State prompted intervention from President Bola Tinubu, who presented an ‘8-point pact’ to both parties involved. The pact called for the withdrawal of all court cases related to the matter, in…
Dr. Adetokunbo Pearse, a chieftain of the People Democratic Party (PDP) and former member of Atiku Abubakar 2023 Presidential Campaign Council, has dismissed the need for any merger with other political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections. In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos, Pearse emphasized that the PDP is not in need of a merger but rather should focus on strengthening its internal structures to secure victory in future elections. “PDP cannot be running away. Let us forget merger. Are you talking about PDP merging with some of these political parties…
The Minister of Solid Minerals and Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has directed Mine Officers of the ministry to launch an investigation into the explosion that occurred in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday night. Dr. Alake issued the directive in Abuja on Wednesday, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation into both the immediate and underlying causes of the explosion. “We have ordered a detailed investigation, and our officers will work in collaboration with the Oyo State government to determine the actual cause of the explosion,” he stated. The minister’s directive follows reports suggesting that the explosion may have resulted from…
The Ekiti State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun, has announced the restructuring of the Ekiti Ring Road Phase I project to prevent the demolition of houses in the communities along its route. He made this assurance to residents of Iworoko, Are, and Afao Ekiti, emphasizing the commitment of the Biodun Oyebanji administration to the well-being of the people and the state’s rapid development. Olatunbosun emphasized that while maintaining high standards, the government is dedicated to the state’s economic prosperity, peace, and tranquility. He explained that a ring road, according to international best practices, is designed to reduce traffic…