Nigerians may be in for good times if the agenda unveiled by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), is anything to go by. Fashola, who officially unveiled his short term plans at his maiden press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, said it includes addressing housing deficits, provide good roads and urgently increase power generation in the country with extra 2,000 megawatts. The Lagos-Ibadan expressway, which has been under construction and the second Niger Bridge, the Minister noted, are of great importance to the current administration, thus would get priority attention. According to him, 2002 was…
Author: Wale Adebayo
Former President Goodluck Jonathan is a very pleasant person. That what the thought of former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd.). He described the immediate past Nigerian leader as “inexperienced” rather than “incompetent.” Jonathan had often been criticized in several quarters as an incompetent leader who allowed corruption and impunity to fester during his rule. However, General Babangida who spoke with The Interview magazine in the December 2015 edition maintained that Jonathan meant well for the country. When asked about the perception that Jonathan is a good person but was “incompetent”, Babangida replied: “If you use inexperience, I will buy that.”…
The Federal Government has broken up the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) into different versions and is proposing breaking the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) into two companies – the Nigeria Petroleum Assets Management Company (NPAM) and a National Oil Company (NOC) that would be run on commercial lines and partly privatised. According to reports, the Federal Government is breaking up the PIB and is replacing it first with a law to overhaul the petroleum sector with the aim of closing loopholes that bred corruption. The bill drafted by the Senate and overseen by the oil ministry, according to the reports,…
The new Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi has promised that a new Yoruba nation where youth empowerment is the focus will emerge during his tenure, where all traditional rulers will unite and promote unity among the ethnic group. “Shortly after I was named Ooni-elect, I sprang into action. I called my friend, Oba Saheed Elegushi, I spoke to the Sultan of Sokoto. I also called Kabiyesi, the Alaafin. I spoke to the Awujale and the Alake. I am prepared for the throne and this is not accidental. “I am close to many monarchs and uniting them should not be…
The Presidency on Monday dissociated President Muhammadu Buhari from the anti-media bill currently before the Senate. The Presidency assured that any legislation that attempts to stifle free speech in the country would not be assented to by Mr. Buhari. This position was made known by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in response to public outcry over the proposed bill. Mr. Shehu reiterated the commitment of President Buhari’s administration to the protection of free speech in keeping with democratic tradition. The statement noted that Buhari has sworn to defend the constitution of Nigeria…
The Governor of Nasarawa State, Tanko Al-makura, on Monday said the planned construction of a cargo airport in Lafia would add value to the economic well-being and revenue base of the state. Almakura said while receiving the panel on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) from the Federal Ministry of Environment in Lafia, that the project was not a luxury. He said it was coming at a time when states must diversify their sources of revenue to remain viable in the face of dwindling allocation from the federation account. “The cargo airport project will be a fulcrum for effective development which will…
The Governor of Niger State, Mr. Abubakar Bello does not want to be called the executive governor but rather Mr Governor. He has, therefore, directed that as from January 2016, he should be addressed simply as “Mr Governor.” He disclosed this on Monday during the swearing in ceremony of five new Niger State High Court Judges at the Government House, Minna. The Governor also directed that all “insignia, seal, emblem, letter heads and complementary cards” should drop the designation of “Executive Governor”, while he is simply addressed as “Governor of Niger State.” “At this point, I find it necessary to inform…
Mr. David Kaye, who is the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, is considering the urgent appeal against the repressive social media bill known as ‘A Bill for an Act to Prohibit Frivolous Petitions and other Matters Connected therewith’, human rights group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has confirmed. In a statement released and signed by the Executive Director of SERAP, Adetokunbo Mumuni the organisation said: “SERAP can confirm that the Office of the Special Rapporteur is now considering our petition. We have received communication from Marcelo Daher…
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other opposition parties in the country are being challenged by President Muhammadu Buhari. He challenged them to learn from the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in order to advance the democratic space and good governance in the country. Speaking at the public presentation ceremony of the book From Opposition to Governing Party: Nigeria’s APC Merger Story, written by the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, at Yar’ Adua’s Centre, Abuja, President Muhammadu Buhari described the book as a compendium of political history of APC’s success story, worthy of emulation by every opposition party.…
The Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose has congratulated the Bayelsa State Governor and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Seriake Dickson for having the people of Bayelsa behind him during the state’s governorship election, which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Monday, declared inconclusive. According to the governor, the failed attempt by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to manipulate the Bayelsa State governorship election was a clear invitation to anarchy, even as he said Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari was fast becoming a shame. Speaking through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka,…
The Director of Media and Publicity of the Jonathan/Sambo Presidential Campaign Organization in the last general elections, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode also known as Olufemi Olu-Kayode, has blasted the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, for alleging that $1 billion was stolen monthly under the former administration. Emir Sanusi, a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, in an interview with US TV news, PBS Newshour, alleged that the worse form of corruption in the world took place under the immediate past Goodluck Jonathan administration “In Nigeria, there is no accountability at all and that is why I think Nigerian…
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, on Sunday said current Nigerian leaders need divine wisdom to overcome the several challenges bedeviling the country. This is contained in a statement issued by the Speaker’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, in Abuja. Mr. Hassan stated that Mr. Dogara made the remark when he visited Keffi, Nasarawa State, to condole with the people, family and state government over the death of the Emir of Keffi, Chindo Yamusa II. According to him, the plethora of problems bedevilling the country cannot be solved with mere human wisdom.…
Adamawa State Governor Jibrilla Bindow said his administration had awarded contracts for the rehabilitation of 46 kilometres of road networks in Yola, Jimeta and Mubi since his inauguration seven months ago. He stated this while interacting with some editors in Yola, the state capital. Mr. Bindow said that most of the roads across the state were in disrepair when he took over the mantle of leadership. He said the reconstruction of the bad ones would open up the state, facilitate movement of good services and promote economic activities. The governor, who took the editors round some of the roads under construction,…
Nigerian Senate has said its proposed bill, which prescribes as high as N5 million fine and seven years imprisonment for those who “falsely” criticize government officials and institutions, is misunderstood. The bill titled: “Bill for an Act to Prohibit Frivolous Petitions and other Matters Connected therewith”, sponsored by Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Bala Ibn Na’allah, has been widely criticized with many expressing the belief that it is a ploy by the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) to clampdown on freedom of speech, especially in the social media. However, in a statement on Monday, the Chairman Senate Committee on Media and Public…
The 10th year anniversary edition of The Future Awards Africa (TFAA) which held today at the prestigious Intercontinental Hotels, Victoria Island, Lagos, lived up to its billing as Africa’s biggest youth event. The awards hosted by multi-talented singer and producer, Dare Art-Alade and South Africa’s leading OAP, Bonang Matheba saw 11 outstanding young achievers rewarded for their excellent work across the continent in different fields ranging from science and technology, business, entertainment, politics, to education. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of awards to deserving winners from all across Africa with Nigeria’s Philip Obaji Jnr. taking home The…
Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has lauded the achievements of Nigerian soldiers in the fight against Boko Haram in Bama and Konduga LGAs of Borno state. The minister commended the soldiers, yesterday, during an official visit to Bama and Konduga Local Government Councils of the State. “We went to Bama and Konduga and saw firsthand, the scale of damage and destruction that the Boko Haram terrorists left behind,” Mohammed said. “It humbled many of us, and we all came back very very sober. I hope that with this visit, my colleagues in the media will show more…
The Nigerian military has commenced air and land strikes on the hideouts of terrorists in the Sambisa forest, destroying about 15 heavily fortified camps. Acting Director, Army Public relations, Col. Sani Usman confirmed the development. According to him, “Advancing troops of the Nigerian Army, supported by the Nigerian Air Force were able to clear and destroy Boko Haram terrorist’s camps at Shuari, Adembe, Yerimari Kura, Yerimari Gana, Gonin Kurmi, Kore, Mainya Kore, and Lopere. “Additionally, the multi-barrel Rocket Launcher Regiment has destroyed the terrorist’s camps at Dure, Dure Kore, Jokwa as well as several other camps. “The troops recovered foodstuffs,…
Former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu has declared that the Igbo have the full right to agitate for self-determination but not to kill security operatives. Speaking to newsmen at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, Kalu, however, slammed the youth for turning what should be a peaceful protest into a violent one involving killings and destruction of properties. “Those boys are right, they have a right to demonstrate, but not violent demonstration, not killing soldiers because if I am a Commander-in-Chief, and you kill one of my soldiers, I will kill everybody. You cannot kill soldiers. You cannot…
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has promised to be thorough in the screening of applicants for the recruitment of additional 10,000 policemen into the Police Force. President Muhammadu Buhari had directed the commission to recruit 10,000 policemen to boost the number of the force. The chairman of the commission, Mr Mike Okiro, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja. Okiro said that the commission had worked out modalities for the exercise “We have worked out modalities for the planned recruitment into the police force”, he said. He explained that the…
Bayelsa State Governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the Saturday’s governorship election in the state, Mr. Seriake Dickson, Sunday morning, reportedly forced his way into the collation centre of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in Onopa, Yenagoa LGA. The Sylva/Igiri Campaign Organisation (SICO), which made the allegation on Sunday, said Dickson stormed the place at about 11pm Saturday night and threatened to “deal seriously” with agents of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Werinipre Seibarugu, former Deputy Governor and Mr. Fortune Panebi, State Publicity Secretary of the APC. The spokesperson for SICO, Chief Nathan Egba, said the…