Author: Khadijah Olowode

A Third Prosecution Witness, PW3, in the trial of Godwin Emefiele, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Oluwole Owoeye, on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, told a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, presided over by Justice Hamza Muazu that all the forty-five (45) contracts awarded by the erstwhile governor of the apex bank, did not go through the Contract’s Tender Committee of the bank. Owoeye, Head of the Secretariat of the Major Contract Tender Committee, MCTC, disclosed to the court that any contract in excess of N10million must go through MCTC, however, the award…

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, will present the 2024 Appropriation Bill to the state House of Assembly on Tuesday, 5 December, 2023. The Governor is expected to present the budget proposal before the 32-member House of Assembly, accompanied by top government functionaries. It would be recalled that the state government held stakeholders’ consultative meetings on the 2024 Budget across the seven administrative zones of the state to give account of the 2023 Budget performance and collate the views and needs of people across all the zones. Governor Makinde had, during the kickoff of the stakeholders’ consultative forum in Ibadan, declared…

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has approved the appointments of Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants and Board Chairmen across various portfolios, Ministries, Departments and Agencies. The appointments were announced in a letter signed by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi, dated Wednesday, 29 November, 2023. This is just as the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, is to combine the role of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media with his current portfolio. The names and portfolios of the fresh appointments are as follows: Oloye Suraj Abiodun- Special Adviser, Education…

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has advised staff of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), to guard against falling foul of anti-graft laws by keeping abreast of the relevant statutes guiding the conduct of public servants. The ICPC Zonal Commissioner for Rivers and Bayelsa states, Mrs. Ekere Usiere, gave the admonition during a Workforce Sensitisation Exercise organised by the NDDC at the Commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt. She commended the NDDC and its Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit, ACTU, for sponsoring the sensitidation exercise under the theme: “Understanding the Offences and Penalties Under the ICPC Act…

The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, arraigned a couple, Oriyomi Idowu and Ruth Idowu, before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos on 20-count charges bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, money laundering, stealing, retention of stolen property, and forgery to the tune of N2.757 billion. They were arraigned alongside Food Commodity Processing Enterprise, Bonway Food Processing Company Limited, Samee Idowu Company Limited and Farmex Integrated Companies Limited, which all belong to Ruth Idowu. One of the counts reads: “Ruth Sameeha Idowu, aka…

Security agencies have dispersed supporters of the SDP in Kogi State, who stormed the State Secretariat of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in Lokoja, to protest against what they termed “INEC’s dubious tampering with election materials”. The security agencies moved in on Wednesday morning, 29 November, 2023, to prevent an attack on the INEC Office, dispersing the protesters with tear gas while barricading the road leading to the office. The protest started peacefully, until some of the SDP supporters started throwing harmful objects and harassing passers-by. The SDP protesters were demanding that the election materials be moved to Abuja.…

Nollywood actress, Laide Bakare is getting married for the third time on Saturday, 2 December, 2023. The actress announced this on Instagram and shared her wedding date. She also shared videos and photos of her groom and her engagement ring. “Have enough courage to love one more time,” she captioned one of her posts. Laide Bakare’s first marriage with US-based ex-husband, Mr Olumide Kunfulire produced a daughter named Simi (born in September 2008). In 2013, Laide Bakare got married to her second husband, Tunde Oriowo, a Lagos-based socialite. The union produced two sons.

By Ibrahim A. Jagaba In furtherance of the ideals of northern Nigeria socioeconomic umbrella body, the Ogun State chapter of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), on Sunday, 26 November, 2023, inaugurated unit chairmen to serve across six different units in Ado-Odo-Ota Local Government. The ceremony, held at the Deinde Hall of Ado-Odo-Ota local government secretariat, had the incumbent council Chairman, Honourable Sheriff Adewale Musa, in attendance as Chief Host and recipient of ACF’s Good Governance Service award. Declaring the ceremony open, with a dual prayer rendered by Ustaz Jamilu and Pastor Kalat Ayuba, the national anthem immediately followed, after which,…

President Bola Tinubu has said that Nigeria’s national defence and internal security, local job creation, macro-economic stability, investment environment optimization, human capital development, poverty reduction, and social security are some of the top priorities of the 2024 Budget of Renewed Hope. Addressing a joint session of the National Assembly on the 2024 Federal budget proposal on Wednesday, 29 November, 2023, in Abuja, President Tinubu said the nation’s internal security architecture will be overhauled to enhance law enforcement capabilities with a view to safeguarding lives, property, and investments across the country. He said the proposed budget prioritizes human capital development, with…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said leveraging the nation’s population and resources, with main focus on unleashing Nigeria’s full economic potential, his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda can build a trillion-dollar economy within the next decade. This, the President noted, can be further facilitated by ongoing efforts on job creation, access to capital for small and large businesses, inclusiveness, the rule of law and the fight against hunger, poverty and corruption. President Tinubu spoke on Tuesday, 28 November, 2023, in Abuja during the opening session of the 2023 National Engineering Conference, Exhibition and Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Society of…

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has continuously given incredible support to the Nigerian military and in many instances risked his life visiting frontlines to motivate troops, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar has declared. The Minister made the remarks on Tuesday, 28 November, 2023, at the council chamber of the Borno State Government House in Maiduguri. He said: “My brother (Governor Babagana Zulum), the troops here in Borno and indeed the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) asked me to send their appreciation to you for all the support that you have been rendering to the military. You have been…

The Senate, on Tuesday, 28 November, 2023, approved the appointments of the Chairman and members of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC). One of those confirmed was the former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Princess Sarah Adebisi Sosan. Princess Sosan will represent Lagos and Ogun States in the Commission. Also confirmed are: Professor Tunji Olaopa as the Chairman and Dr. Dauda Jalo, Edet Eyoma, Chamberlain Nwele, Rufus Godwins and Dr. Adamu Hussein as members. Other members of the Commission confirmed by the Senate are: Aminu Nabegu, Hindatu Abdullahi, Shehu Aliyu, Odekunle Rukiyat, and Dr. Festus Oyebade. Upon confirmation, the new…

The Federal Government has expressed displeasure over growing cases of Gender-based Violence (GBV) and has revealed its plan to establish Standard of Operations (SoP) procedure for speedy prosecution of related cases in schools. The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) made the disclosure on Tuesday at the national close-out/ handover ceremony of the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative project organised by the United Nations to end violence against women and girls in Nigeria. The Spotlight Initiative was established in the country to tackle the widespread cases of GBV and other harmful traditional practices. Fagbemi said:…

The Oyo State Government has organized a one-day sensitization meeting with the commercial tricycle and motorcycle operators in the state. Declaring open the sensitization exercise in Ibadan, the state Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade harped on the need for a proper registration of motorcycles, tricycles. The meeting had in attendance leaders of motorcycle and tricycle riders across various zones of the state, including Park Management System, PMS, Motorcycle Transport Union of Nigeria, MTUN, Amalgamated Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners, Repairs and Riders Association of Nigeria, ACOMORAN among others. He added that the exercise will help in…

The Oyo State Government has put plans in place to upgrade some of its Primary Health Centres (PHCs) to 24 hours service centers, adding that manpower gaps will be addressed soon. This was part of the resolutions met during a two day retreat organized for health practitioners and stakeholders in the State, over the weekend. During the retreat, the Ministry of Health mapped out strategies to address various challenges affecting the health sector, mobilize resources, coordinate the activities of its partners and arrive at a plan that will align with the the present administration’s Road Map for Health Care Development…

A pro-All Progressives Congress Group-Northern Progressive for Asiwaju, has faulted the appointment of Umar Ajiya as the new Chief Financial Officer, NNPCL. A statement by the group’s Director General, Muhammad Hussein on Tuesday, 28 November, 2023, said the President must wake to reality happening. The group alleged that his appointment is dangerous to the All Progressive Congress despite his involvement in the sponsoring of Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar. “We described this as despicable and a threat to many loyalist of our party who worked hard for the success of the 2023 presidential election. “We expect Asiwaju to…

Families of Missing Persons from Nigeria participated in the 3rd edition of the International Conference for Families of Missing Persons, which took place between 21-23 November 2023. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) hosted two conference hubs in Nigeria, in Maiduguri (Borno State) and Yola (Adamawa State) respectively, where families attended online global and regional peer-to-peer sessions and were granted opportunities to meet and exchange with other families from around the world whose loved ones went missing in similar circumstances. Families gained inspiration on how they can continue to build and strengthen their family associations. Beyond supporting one…

Pastor Isaac Oyedepo, son of Bishop David Oyedepo, Founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, has unveiled his own ministry, The Isaac Oyedepo Evangelistic Ministries. Isaac Oyedepo shared a YouTube video titled “Unveiling of the Isaac Oyedepo Evangelistic Ministries” on his X account on Tuesday. In the YouTube video, Bishop David Oyedepo, his father, not only ministered but also prayed for Isaac and his wife, Ayomitide, as they both knelt. Bishop Oyedepo was heard saying in part, “As hands are laid on you, I pray for unusual grace for sustainable connectivity that will keep you going without sweat. “I pray…

President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau will on Wednesday, 29 November, 2023, declare the first ever retreat of the Management and Staff of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) at the Sandralia Hotel in Abuja. The retreat which is being held to review the operations of the NPFL in the last one year and develop strategies for improvement, is the first ever such development study event to be held in the history of professional football administration in the country. Secretary of the NPFL Board, Danladi Ibrahim in a circular listed the agenda to have the NFF President…

Creative artists under the aegis of the Great Ekenhuan Alumni Association, Abuja, a group of graduates of Theatre Arts, Fine and Applied Arts, and Mass Communications departments of the University of Benin, Edo State, on Friday honoured leading personalities in the country. Among those at the event, which held in the nation’s capital include, Dr. Solomon Arase, former Inspector General of Police(IGP) and current Chairman of Police Service Commission (PSC); late Chief Raymond Dokpesi, founder of DAAR Communications, owners of AIT and Raypower FM; and General Joel Unigbe (Rtd) former Chief of Defence Logistics of the Nigerian military. The honour…