Author: Olamide Obayemi

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has stated that the old N1000, N500, and N200 denominations remain valid and legal tender nationwide. The spokesperson of the apex bank, Hakama Sidi Ali, stated this in a statement issued on Friday, 13 December, 2024. CBN’s comments come as cash scarcity worsened nationwide despite the apex banks’ directive to Nigerian banks to ensure the availability of cash in Automated Teller Machines. Reacting, CBN clarified that all its banknotes are valid, contrary to the claims making the rounds. “CBN has observed the misinformation regarding the validity of the old N1000, N500, and A200 banknotes…

The revenue shared among the federal, state, and local governments in November 2024, as accrued from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee, FAAC, increased by N490 billion, rising to N1.727 trillion from N1.3 trillion in the previous month. FAAC’s made this disclosure in its latest communiqué on allocations to the three tiers of government, released on Friday, 13 December, 2024 According to the communiqué, the country generated a gross revenue of N3.143 trillion in November, marking a noticeable increase from the previous month. Total deductions for the cost of collection were reported at N103.307 billion. However, revenue from Value Added Tax,…

The immediate past Deputy Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon Enema Paul, is dead. Paul died of an undisclosed illness in Abuja at a private hospital in the early hours of Saturday, 14 December, 2024. Before his death, Hon Paul was the member representing Okura State Constituency in the current 8th Assembly in Kogi State. Hon Paul stepped down as Kogi State Deputy Speaker on health grounds, and he was later replaced by the member representing Ibaji State Constituency, Hon. Comfort Ojoma Nwuchiola. Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Aliyu Umar…

First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has admonished girls who dropped out of school due to early pregnancy, abuse, domestic violence and financial difficulties not to give up on achieving their life long dreams and goals. She stated this during the commissioning and formal handover of the Alternative High School for Girls in Osogbo, Osun State on Friday, 13 December, 2024. The facility which was built in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) is under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI’s) Access to Education For All Programme, according to the First Lady, will provide a second chance at…

First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has urged Nigerians to all be Ambassadors of the country. She made the call during her conferment with an Honorary Doctorate of Public Administration by the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. The First Lady while addressing the gathering made up of the academia, captains of industries, prominent Nigerians and graduands asserted that the nation is on the path of full recovery as industries are returning to the country while foreign investors are already signifying their readiness to do business with Nigeria. “We must all be united and committed to nurturing it to reap the…

The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has urged stakeholders from all sectors to collaborate in fostering accountability and combating procurement fraud in Nigeria. Speaking at the Close-out and Journalism Award Ceremony of the International Centre for Investigative Journalism (ICIR) Open Contract Reporting Project (OCRP) in Abuja, Dr. Aliyu underscored the pivotal role of procurement in public service delivery. The ICPC Boss declared that transparent and honest procurement processes are vital for enabling governments to deliver infrastructure, healthcare, education, and other essential services to citizens. Dr. Aliyu identified procurement…

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, has assured that the Commission will soon complete the 2-Kilometre double-lane Kaa-Ataba Road with two bridges in the Khana and Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State. Ogbuku gave assurance during an inspection of a 1.2-kilometer-long bridge on the road, accompanied by the NDDC Executive Director, Projects, Sir Victor Antai, and other Directors of the Commission. He stated, “The project is about 70 per cent done, and we are ready to complete it by the middle of next year. We have just finished discussing it with the…

By Akeem Busari Iganmu FC product, Richard Ubong has joined reigning J-League champions Vissel Kobe on a 5 year contract after his developmental elite football programmes at Fukuchiyama Seibi High School in Japan.In an official statement released by Iganmu FC, tall, lanky and highly rated young goalkeeper finally made the cut for top professional football after 3 years of arduous and rewarding football training.”Iganmu Tiger FC would like to thank our partners Fukuchiyama Seibi high School for the opportunity.”We are equally grateful to the Creative Championship (TCC) that created the platform that serves as nurturing process for football career development.”As…

Director General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), Dr Nkiruka Maduekwe on Monday, 9 December, 2024 visited the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu to seek area of collaboration and provide insight into the activities of the agency in order to ensure a more coordinated approach to issues of climate change. The Minister assured her of cooperation and emphasized the need for constant engagements to ensure seamless coordination among the various stakeholders adding that there must be consistent conversation to achieve result. The Minister received the DG alongside the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Mahmuda Mamman; the…

The Capital Sportiff Six-Team Football Tournament delivered another exhilarating day of action on Saturday, 7 December, 2024, as Group B teams showcased skill, grit, and determination. Held at the New Capital International School Sports Arena in Asokoro, Abuja, the tournament has solidified its reputation as a platform for grassroots football excellence and community bonding. The tournament, organized by Capital Sportiff Sports Club, aims to develop grassroots football, engage youth in sports, and discover emerging talent in Abuja and beyond. Additionally, it seeks to promote camaraderie and foster community spirit, making football a unifying force for diverse groups. With a carefully…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede has charged Nigerian youths to unite against corruption and shun fraudulent activities. Olukoyede stated this in his speech he delivered on Thursday, 5 December, 2024 to mark the 2024 International Anti Corruption Day. The ant-graft czar, who said he was delighted to address youths to commemorate the 2024 International Anti-corruption Day, added that the yearly gathering has become an occasion of stock-taking and pragmatic analysis of anti-graft initiatives across the world. Speaking on the theme: “Uniting the Youths against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity’, Olukoyede, said it…

Lagos State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC). The MoU will open up opportunities and provide a framework for collaboration across key sectors such as trade and investment, infrastructure development, education and capacity building, tourism and cultural exchange, and the green economy. The signing of the MoU was witnessed on Tuesday, 10 December, 2024, by Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the state Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, on behalf of the Lagos State Government, while the CEO of CWEIC, Mrs. Rosie Glazebrook; Chairman of CWEIC’s Nigeria Advisory…

Akwa United FC of Uyo has been reprimanded by the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) for threatening the crew of Propel Sports Africa (PSA) the Over the Top (OTT) broadcast streaming partners of the league. Similarly, the Welfare Officer of the club, identified only as Mr. Asuquo was invited to face a disciplinary panel over threats he was seen on a video footage issuing to the broadcast crew. In a letter titled, “warning on unprofessional conduct of club officials”, the NPFL expressed concern that such actions may have grave consequences on contractual obligations to partners. “It has come to our…

An entrepreneurship initiative – Naija Entrepreneurship Academy (NEA) has been launched as part of efforts to curb youth unemployment across the country. The launch which is an initiative of a social development consultant, Fatima Sadiq Mohammed, followed the endorsement of Nigeria Governors’ Forum. The project is an online portal that hosts free learning courses for prospective business owners as well as those already managing small businesses. According to the lead champion of the initiative across West Africa, Poncelet Ileleji, the training content, which covers subjects relevant to starting and growth of small and medium scale enterprises, was packaged by world…

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has finalised the framework for the establishment of of a $75 million ECOWAS Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Facility. The regional bloc is also interested in improving storage facilities, milling initiatives and enhancing mechanization in paddy production, stating that $19 billion investment is needed for this. The President, ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Alieu Omar Touray made the disclosure on Thursday, 12 December, 2024, at the opening of the 93rd Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers holding in Abuja. Touray, while commending the ongoing work on the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project, which…

First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has recommitted to leading advocacy against tuberculosis, saying she is still pained that she lost one of her trusted staff to the cold hands of death because he won’t disclose that he was suffering from the disease due to fear of stigmatization. She made the recommitment at an event tagged Political Leadership to End TB 38th Board Meeting, Stop TB Partnership Global. While addressing over 62 countries present at the event, she stressed the need for urgency to eradicate the disease. The First Lady stated that ignorance and fear especially on the part…

The Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI) a Think Tank, has justified two recently released reports by the National Bureau of Statistics NBS on Nigeria’s latest Gross Domestic Product GDP figure and the unemployment rate. This is against the backdrop of claims by some critics who had sought to discredit the reports that were largely positive a few weeks after they had hailed a general household survey by NBS that painted a dire picture of the national economy. But in a policy statement signed by its Chairman Dr Omoniyi Akinsiju, IMPI said there was no basis to accept one report…

The grand finale of Odiolowo-Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area Annual Sports Fiesta was held on Wednesday, 11 December, 2024 at the council secretariat in Ilupeju, reports thegazellenews.com The weeklong sporting activities featured different sports such as street soccer, basketball, table tennis, boxing, draught, card game and Ayo Olopon. Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Chairman of the Council, Honourable Rasaq Olusola Ajala stated that the event was organised to discover new sporting talents for the various grades of the state and country’s teams in various sports. According to him, it is also meant to correct the negative stories being spread about…

By Senator Babafemi Ojudu Introduction My dear brother, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, leader of this movement, the great men and women who have stood staunchly by him on this tortuous journey, and our compatriots from the grassroots of the State of Osun—yes, the State of Osun—allow me to say that only the deep can call to the deep. Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed progressives, it is both an honor and a privilege to stand before you today. We gather not merely to reminisce but to reflect deeply on the life, work, and enduring legacy of one of Nigeria’s greatest statesmen: Chief Obafemi…

United States has provided $400,000 to preserve the Ancient Nigerian Earthworks at Sungbo’s Eredo According to a statement on Wednesday, 11 December, 2024, by the US Embassy in Nigeria, the U.S. Mission to Nigeria proudly marks the culmination of a five-year effort to preserve and document Sungbo’s Eredo, a historic 100-mile system of earthworks in southwest Nigeria. Funded by a $400,000 grant from the U.S. Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) in 2019, the project underscores the United States’ commitment to preserving Nigeria’s cultural heritage and fostering international collaboration. Built between 800-1000 C.E. as part of the Yoruba Ijebu Kingdom,…