Author: Khadijah Olowode

Operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on Thursday, 30 November, 2023 arraigned 12 officers before a disciplinary panel for various offenses bothering on corrupt practices and absenteeism in line with the extant rules as guided by the Lagos State Civil Service Rules and Regulations. The Acting General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Bakare Oki Olalekan disclosed that the disciplinary panel which was statutorily constituted with three Permanent Secretaries in attendance adjudicated cases of corrupt practices levied against the 12 officers and forwarded their recommendations to the State Civil Service Commission for ratification in line with the Public Service…

The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Thursday, 30 November, 2023, said discussions are in top gear with the exploration of oil in Tongeji Island and Olokola in Ipokia and Ogun Waterside local government areas of the state respectively. The Governor noted that the state would soon be given the frontier status and join the league of oil-producing states in the country. Prince Abiodun stated this, during the presentation of the year 2024 Appropriation Bill christiened “Budget of Sustained Growth and Development” at the Ogun State House of Assembly. The Governor said: “Discussions are ongoing regarding the exploration of…

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has pledged to provide communities in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State with more impactful development projects. The representative of Abia State on the Board of the NDDC, Chief Eruba Dimgba, made the pledge during a grand reception organised in his honour by the people of Asa community at the Ogwe Central School, Asa. He said that NDDC recently awarded contracts for the construction of the Ngwaiyiekwe-Ogwe Road and the Owaza-Uzuaku-144 Battalion-Afam Junction Road, both in the oil-bearing communities of Ukwa West Council area. The NDDC Board member announced that work on the…

Popular Pastor who doubles as President of the Freedom Apostolic Revival Ministry (FARIM) and founder of popular prayer mountain, Ori-Oke Ogo situated in Ibadan, Oyo state, Prophet Samuel Adebayo Ojo Omoloju Jesu popularly known as Baba Authority has said any Pastor that says God instructed him not to work is a thief and liar. Speaking to newsmen at a press conference to unveil his newly built multi-million naira radio station in Lagos, Melody 107.7FM, the Ibadan-born cleric said, “I don’t depend on my church money. I am saying this in public, I don’t collect a dime from my church branches…

A 70-year-old woman, identified as Safina Namukwaya, has given birth to twins in Uganda. BBC reports that Namukwaya delivered a boy and a girl via caesarean section at a fertility clinic in Kampala. The 70-year-old reportedly underwent an in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment for conception. IVF is a procedure that involves combining egg and sperm outside the body and implanting the resulting embryo into the uterus to achieve pregnancy. Edward Tamale Sali, the doctor who supervised her pregnancy and delivery, said both the mother and babies are in good health and remain under observation at the clinic. Namukwaya, while expressing…

A Nigerian Air Force helicopter crashed in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on Friday morning, 1 December, 2023. NAF spokesman, Edward Gabkwet, confirmed the development in a statement. He said all those onboard survived though they sustained “minor injuries”. The helicopter with the number NAF MI-35P crashed at exactly 7.45 am shortly after it took off for an operation against economic saboteurs in Rivers State. “Fortunately, the entire crew of 5 survived the crash with very minor injuries and are currently being attended to at NAF Medical Centre Port Harcourt. “The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan…

The Minister of Works, Engr Dave Umahi, has disclosed that his ministry has received express approval from the presidency to commence federal roads construction and rehabilitation in Kogi State. He also outlined the modalities being explored to expedite the works without delay. Umahi spoke during a visit to him by the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, CON, and Governor-elect, Ahmed Usman Ododo, at his office in Mabushi, Abuja. During the visit, Governor Bello expressed gratitude to Senator Umahi for his support and solidarity, contributing to the victory of the Governor-elect in the November 11 governorship election in Kogi State. Governor…

By Akeem Busari Nigeria’s foremost football fans group, Nigeria Football Supporters Club(NFSC), Thursday, 30 November, 2023 at the Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, installed the Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Housing, Barrister (Hon). Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, as its National Patron and Sports Ambassador. During the investiture, the National Chairman of NFSC, Ambassador (Rev). Samuel Ikpea, said that Hon. Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, is a woman of virtue and great football enthusiast, who has over the years showed uncommon passion and love for the game. “We did our due diligence and realised that Hon. Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, is a great football fan and…

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) has warned that there will be no room for internal sabotage in the renewed war against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country. Marwa gave the warning in his remarks at the passing out ceremony of additional 2,500 cadets of Senior Officers Basic Course 16 on Thursday at the NDLEA Academy, Jos. The anti-narcotics czar, while reminding the gathering that the ceremony completes the addition of 5,000 personnel to the NDLEA workforce, charged the graduates to make their impact felt. He said…

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has flagged off the re-construction of the 18-kilometre Owaza-Uzuaku-144 Battalion-Afam Junction Road in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State. Speaking during the flag-off ceremony in Owaza, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, assured the people of the Commission’s determination to bring development and hope to Niger Deltans in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Ogbuku who was represented by the Abia State Representative on the NDDC Governing Board, Chief Eruba Dimgba, said that the Commission, as an interventionist agency, was committed to fast-tracking development in the Niger Delta region.…

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has assured the family of the slain Director of Finance and Administration in the Governor’s Office, Mr. Taiwo Oyekanmi and people of the state that the perpetrators behind the killing will be caught and brought to justice. Prince Abiodun also said that his administration would take full responsibility for the welfare and wellbeing of the family Oyekanmi left behind. Governor Abiodun stated this when he paid a condolence visit to the home of the deceased former director on Thursday, 30 November, 2023. Oyekanmi was attacked and murdered on Wednesday, 29 November, 2023, within the…

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Thursday, presented N703.03 billion Budget Proposal for the year 2024 to the state House of Assembly. This is against the N472.250 billion budgeted for the 2023 fiscal year. Giving a breakdown of the budget tagged “The Budget of Sustained Growth and Development,” the governor noted that it is made up of N287.37 billion Recurrent and N415.66 billion Capital expenditures. He explained that N95.05 billion will be used for Personnel Costs, N27.35 billion as Consolidated Revenue while N59.09 billion will go for Public Debt Charges. Speaking further, Prince Abiodun noted that N105.88 billion is…

A former Vice Chancellor of Abia State University in Uturu (ABSU) and Chairman, Abia State Independent National Electoral Commission (ABSIEC), Prof. Mkpa Agu Mkpa, on Wednesday, 29 November, 2023, told the National Assembly to revisit the report of the 2014 Constitutional Conference convened by former President Goodluck Jonathan to address most of the challenges in Nigeria. According to him, the advice became necessary implementing the report of the Confab would solve many of the problems currently facing Nigeria. The ex-ABSU VC stated these in Abuja while delivering his keynote paper at the 3rd annual public lecture series, induction and conferment…

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has commiserated with the family of Mr Taiwo Oyekanmi, the late Director of Finance and Accounts, in the Office of the Governor, who was killed in cold blood by suspected armed robbers on Wednesday in Abeokuta, the state capital. Oyekanmi was on official assignment within the metropolis when he met his untimely death in the hands of his assailants. This was contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Lekan Adeniran. Abiodun described the incident as a rude shock to him, as he called for prayers for the immediate…

The Ogun State Government and the Organised Private Sector (OPS) have concluded plans to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the construction of the Olokola Deep Seaport located in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of the state. Governor Dapo Abiodun made this known during a breakfast meeting with Chief Executive Officers of the OPS in Abeokuta, the state capital, on Wednesday. Governor Abiodun noted that the construction of the Olokola seaport would provide another opportunity for companies in the state to move their goods and equipment in addition to the Gateway Agro-Cargo International Airport, which is almost on completion…

The African School of Diplomacy and International Relations (ASDIR) has said collective efforts of all is needed to achieve meaningful economic growth in Nigeria, insisting that without this Nigeria’s economy would continue to witness hiccups. The Vice-Chairman/CEO of ASDIR, Dr Tunji Asaolu, gave the advice at the 2023 annual public lecture series, induction and conferment of honorary doctorate degree ceremony organised in Abuja by the school. Asaolu, who is also the Deputy Secretary-General, African Affairs, International Society of Diplomats (ISD), said the call has become imperative in order to ensure sustainable progress in the country. The event, which marked the…

The Kogi State Police Command has given a spokesperson for the Social Democratic Party in the state, Farouk Adejoh, 24 hours to substantiate what it described as his reckless allegations claiming that the Commissioner of Police was responsible for recruiting and supporting thugs in support of a certain political party or personalities. The Command, in a statement on Thursday, 30 November, 2023, signed by its Public Relations Officer, SP William Ovye Aya, said if Adejoh failed to comply within the timeframe, the Police might have no option than to invoke its “operational processes to hold him to account for his…

Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has made a case for players in the league to be involved in Super Eagles to stimulate aspirations of players to stay in the country rather than seeking clubs outside. The plea was one of the high points of the communique reached at the inaugural NPFL Board and Staff retreat in Abuja which was graced by the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau in Abuja on Wednesday, 29 November, 2023. During the interactive session between the Board members and Staff, it was observed that the NPFL must create heroes to attract fans…

Arise News Anchor and former Presidential Spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati has lost his mother-in-law. Alhaja Ramota Babalola died few days ago after a protracted illness and has since been buried in accordance with Islamic rites. She is the mother of Iyabo, first wife of the well known journalist, newspaper columnist and former presidential spokesman. Contrary to speculations in some quarters, the couple are still very much together. Babalola, a well known community leader in Lagos passed away after a protracted illness. She is survived by children and grand children. Details of other activities celebrating the life and times of Alhaja…

The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Malam Mele Kyari, has expressed gratitude to stakeholders and Nigerians for their enthusiasm regarding his reappointment by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. Viewing this reappointment as a renewed challenge, Kyari has stated his desire and commitment to stabilizing the oil industry and enhancing service delivery for increased revenue. The GCEO however appealed to stakeholders in the oil sector and Nigerians to support the company under his leadership to ensure the success of its mandate. Consequently, the GCEO…