Author: Olamide Obayemi

Scores of Kogi indigenes, on Friday night, 29 September, 2023, called on President Bola Tinubu and Governor Yahaya Bello to immediately put machineries in motion to curtail the excesses of thugs allegedly loyal to the Governorship Candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the state, Muritala Yakubu, accusing them of being behind the gruesome killing of a supporter of the All Progressives Congress in Kotonkarfe and many cases of violence recorded lately in the state. The over 5000 indigenes, under the auspices of Kogi for Kogites Movement, whose members are drawn from all the 21 Local Government Areas of…

Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has urged owners of restaurants, hotels, and event centres operating in the state to contribute to the state’s development by prioritizing the monthly collection and remittance of a 5% consumption tax on all consumables and personal services. The State on June 22, 2009, enacted the Hotel Occupancy and Restaurant Consumption Law of Lagos State otherwise called Hotel Consumption Law, which imposes consumption tax at 5% on the value of goods and services consumed in hotels, restaurants and event centers within the state. The tax base is the total cost of facilities, consumables or personal…

The Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has been commended for ensuring strict regulatory compliance and enforcement of PR laws and practices in Nigeria. Spokesperson to the President of the Senate, Hon. Esemeh Eyiboh, made the commendation when he visited the President of NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku in Abuja. The spokesperson, who during the visit submitted his application form for the membership of NIPR, said that as a law-abiding citizen, he must comply with Nigerian law and regulations in joining the Institute so as to guide him in his role and professional engagements. Hon. Eyiboh said: “I am here with…

There is an uneasy calm at the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) over the alleged fraudulent and immediate promotion of four General Managers on Level 16 to the level of Directors on Level 17 in order to force them out of office in line with a recent circular from the office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation that Directors who have spent eight years or more in the position should retire. It would be recalled that in the circular (Ref: HCSF/SPSO/268/T3/2/37) dated July 27, 2023, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folashade…

My attention has been drawn to a mischievous story by the Cable Newspaper claiming that I made approvals of over N11 billion after taking my pre-retirement leave. Nothing can be further from the truth. The entire story was sensationally written with mischief that took the ordinary events of my work out of context with the intent to tarnish my image. First and foremost, I want to categorically state that after my exit as FIRS Executive Chairman, I made no such approvals as claimed in the report. Fundamentally: It is important to note that no payment was made by the Service…

The Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa has expressed satisfaction over the justice meted out on Filippo Ferlazzo, an Italian man who killed a Nigerian citizen in Italy. Dabiri-Erewa while stating that though the life lost can never be replaced, said: “I am glad that this case finally got justice. Like I always say, there has to be consequences for actions.” Dabiri-Erewa commended the Nigerian Mission in Rome, for following through with the case and other cases involving Nigerians. The convict bagged 24 years jail term on Wednesday for causing the death of a 39-year-old Nigerian man…

The Federal Government has commenced important step towards drafting the nation’s Circular Economy Roadmap Framework to guide Nigeria’s transition to a more circular economy in the short, medium and long terms (2023-2050). Speaking during the Stakeholders Validation Workshop of Nigeria Circular Economy Roadmap in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Ibrahim Idris noted that Nigeria with a population of over 200 million people generates about 32 million tons of solid waste per year, with little or no segregation is illegally dumped in open spaces or co disposed off with hazardous wastes in dumpsites and burnt openly. He decried that:…

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Power Africa have launched “the Growing Green Jobs for Women in Nigeria” initiative to foster gender equality and promote clean energy solutions. This initiative aimed at equipping approximately 500 women and youth with the required skills and opportunities to secure better jobs in Nigeria’s energy sector. According to a statement from United States Embassy in Nigeria, historically women have been underrepresented in energy-related professions in Nigeria, and their presence in leadership or decision-making roles remains limited. The Powering Jobs Census 2022 revealed a stark contrast in the distribution of women in science,…

The Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) has announced the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) as the best Federal Ministries, Departments & Agencies (MDA) in the Use of Environmental Sustainable Technology Implementation in the country. In a letter ref. BPSR/ICT.20/1/139 conveying news of the prestigious Nigeria GovTech Award, the Director General of BPSR, Dr. Dasuki Arabi also revealed the nomination of the Director General of NESREA, Prof. Aliyu Jauro for the Distinguished GovTech Trailblazer’s Award for exemplary leadership. Arabi disclosed that a major criteria for the Distinguished GovTech Trailblazer’s Award was the advancement of GovTech initiatives and…

The Federal Government has declared Monday, 2 October, 2023 as a public holiday in commemoration of the Nation’s 63rd independence celebration. The exact Independence Day is always marked on October 1, but this year’s celebration falls on a Sunday, making government to declare Monday 2nd, a working day to mark it. The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, while making the declaration in Abuja, congratulated all Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora. Tunji-Ojo in a statement on Thursday signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr Oluwatoyin Akinlade assured Nigerians of Government continued commitment to tackling challenges facing…

Filmhouse Imax located in the upper class of Lekki and its environ lost its balance on Wednesday September 27th, 2023 when celebrities and Nollywood super stars trooped out in large number at the premiere of the much awaited and much talked Prime Video five-part mini-series tiltled ‘SHE Must Be Obeyed’, which hit the entertainment atmosphere in Nigeria and across the world on Friday, 29 September, 2023. The management of the company had last week released a statement announcing the new drama series featuring Nigeria’s Nollywood darling and mega superstar, Funke Akindele as lead actor and others in the drama. Stars…

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has announced the commencement of the application process for its 2023/2024 Foreign Post Graduate (Masters) Scholarship Programme.This marks a significant stride in the Commission’s unwavering commitment to fostering human resource development and empowerment of the youths in the Niger Delta region.Aiming to cultivate empowerment and specialization, this initiative is designed to equip the vibrant minds of the region with indispensable skills and training. The goal is to facilitate their meaningful participation in the Federal Government’s local content programme and to enable them to excel in various professional disciplines, enhancing their global competitiveness.Diverse Opportunities for Study:The…

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has sealed several plazas around Tejuosho Market, Yaba, for environmental offences including improper waste disposal and trading activities obstructing free flow of traffic, among others. The affected plazas are those situated around Mobil Filling Station down to the left and right sections of the popular Okrika market. According to the Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, the plazas were found to be in violation of several critical environmental regulations, which include indiscriminate dumping of waste on road median, use of road setbacks for trading activities, impeding free flow of traffic, and operation of illegal motor parks in the area. He said, “Under our policy of zero…

After his sudden exit as chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Muhammad Nami went on to approve N6 billion as payments to several contractors and consultants, TheCable can report. Nami, who was succeeded by Zacchaeus Adedeji, greenlit the payments two days after he was sacked on September 14, according to documents seen by TheCable. Officials privy to the development — but not authorised to speak on the matter — said the former FIRS boss directed staff of the finance, audit, and internal affairs departments to work on Saturday and Sunday to perfect some financial transactions while files were…

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Samuel Ogbuku, has enjoined the newly promoted Directors of the Commission to make a difference in the discharge of their duties and take the Commission to greater heights. Ogbuku, who gave the charge at the closing session of a two-week course on Leadership and Performance Management for directing staff of the NDDC in Abuja, said that the provision of quality services to the people of the Niger Delta was a collective responsibility and should be given priority. According to him, the reason for sending the new Directors for training was to ensure they took the administrative…

Some 500-level Accounting students of Ladoke Akintola University (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso, Oyo State lost their lives in a fatal accident while returning from an excursion to Erin-Ijesa Waterfall in Osun State. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening, 27 September, 2023, around Ilobu-Okinni-Osogbo road in Osun State while they were returning from their visit to the waterfall. The bus conveying the students according to reports, caught fire although the cause of the accident is still unknown. The Public Relations Officer of the institution, Mr Lekan Fadeyi confirmed the accident. He said lives were lost in the accident but he could not confirm…

Lagosians may have to exercise more patience, as they anticipate the completion of the 37-kilometre-long Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line project. The construction of the rail infrastructure is at the finishing stage, but Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the project will not open to the public until all stations are completely furnished and safety features put in place. The Governor, on Wednesday, 27 September, 2023, undertook a comprehensive inspection of the Red Line infrastructure, traversing the major stations of the rail project. The Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and members of the State cabinet joined the Governor on the…

The management of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) has commenced moves to pacify the parents of the boy with the missing intestines, Adebola Akin-Bright, thegazellenews.com has exclusively gathered. This medium learnt that officials of the tertiary health institution have contacted parents of the deceased teenager offering to offset his burial expenses. While this was going on, thegazellenews.comalso learnt that the father of the deceased has collected the films of the scan carried out on him at LASUTH and the scan clearly showed that the intestines were present in the boy when the scan was carried out. “The scan was done on…

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has approved the immediate termination of the appointments of 21 heads of parastatals, agencies, and government companies of the FCT Administration (FCTA). Wike, in a statement by his Director of Press, Office of the Minister, Anthony Ogunleye, on Wednesday, 27 September, 2023, ordered the affected appointees to hand over the affairs of their offices to the most senior officers in rank. Those affected by the decision are: 1. Group MD/CEO, Abuja investment Company Ltd 2. CEO/MD, Abuja Markets Management Ltd 3. MD/CEO, Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company 4. CEO/MD, Abuja Property…