Author: Khadijah Olowode

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. Abdullahi Mustapha to serve as the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN). This was disclosed via a press statement on Monday, 23 October, 2023, by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale. According to him, “Dr. Abdullahi Mustapha has served for over a decade in the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) with significant experience in the Energy and Space Technology sectors. Dr. Mustapha most recently obtained his Doctorate degree in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on Renewable Energy, followed…

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Monday, 23 October, 2023, approved the establishment of a humanitarian and poverty alleviation trust fund as part of the administration’s efforts to cushion the economic hardship on vulnerable Nigerians. President Bola Tinubu, who presided over the weekly FEC meeting, conveyed the approval to the cabinet members in attendance at the State House. Dr Betta Edu, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, who briefed State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, said the fund is expected to garner up to $5 billion annually from Government, Donors, Private sector, Philanthropic individuals and other innovative forms of…

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has retained its position as the best Federal Agency in transparency and efficiency in business, continuing the streak of excellence in the delivery of its mandate. In the 2023 Half Year Executive Order 001 Compliance Ranking, which covered from January to June 2023, NCDMB scored 83.06% to clinch the top position in the Federal Government’s ranking of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), the second straight year it was clinching the award. The report was released on Monday, and it builds on the Board’s sterling performance in 2022 during which period it had…

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Monday, 23 October, 2023, declared state of emergency on the flooded Isheri community, in Ifo Local Government Area of the State, as he assured residents of the area quick intervention to save the situation. The governor added that a comprehensive assessment that would lead to permanent solution to the menace of flooding in the affected area would be conducted very soon. Prince Abiodun, who stated this while fielding questions from newsmen after inspecting the flooded community, said that his administration is working with the federal government to deal with the situation as an…

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has said that the state government would soon recoup all expenses on the state’s Agro Cargo Airport, as various international aviation companies jostle for concessional operations. The airport, which was located along Iperu-Ilishan road in Ikenne Local Government area of the state was conceptualized as an aerotropolis, based on its strategic location, being contiguous to the nation’s commercial capital of Lagos. The Governor, shortly after inspection of the airport at the weekend had a chat with newsmen, asserting that commercial flights would begin operations at the airport before the end of the year. He…

By Professor Moyo Okediji About 30 years ago, I slept at the Murtala Muhammed Airport for four days. No, I was not a homeless vagabond. I had bought the Nigeria Airways ticket to fly to the United States for a one-year sabbatical leave. But when I arrived at the airport, I realized that my ticket was not honored, though I had bought it legitimately. Whenever a plane was about to leave Lagos for New York, the NA officials posted a manifest list, and my name was not there. They would ask me to wait for the next list. This drama…

Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) disclosed over the weekend that arrangement has been concluded for the arraignment of 14 LASTMA personnel before a disciplinary panel over extortions and high handedness in line with the extant rules and regulations of the State. The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Bolaji Oreagba disclosed that thenaffected Officers whose cases have been investigated would be facing Government Disciplinary Committee known as the Personnel Management Board, (PMB) Discipline, which would adjudicate their cases in line with the Public Service Rules. According to Oreagba “these 14 male Officers (11 Seniors & 3 Juniors) were caught at…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has applauded the dismissal of the arbitrary $6.6billion judgment against Nigeria, won by the Process & Industry Development, P&ID Ltd, over a failed 2010 deal to develop a gas processing plant in the country. A United Kingdom, UK Judge, Robin Knowles of the Business and Property Court in London, on Monday, 23 October, 2023, ruled that the award was obtained by fraud and what has happened in the case is contrary to public policy. The EFCC had been embroiled in a legal tussle with Process & Industrial Developments over a $9 billion judgment…

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, on Monday, signed into law an Executive Order establishing the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and another one on the protection of mining communities in Oyo State against insecurity and exploitation. The Governor, who performed the signing ceremony at the Conference Room of the Governor’s Office at the Oyo State Government Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, said the signing was to give a legal underpinning to the efforts of the administration in the solid mineral and tourism sectors. The two Executive Orders come against the backdrop of the administration’s decision to drive its economic expansion agenda through…

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has appointed a retired military officer, Major Adesagba Adekoya (rtd), as the chairman of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA). The appointment, which was contained in a letter signed by the Chief of Staff to the governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi, is with effect from October 23, 2023. According to the letter, the Governor congratulated the new chairman of the state’s road traffic management agency, charging him to discharge his duty with absolute loyalty, dedication and diligence. Major Adekoya (rtd) was until his appointment the Operation and Service Manager of the Halogen Group, a…

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has made a commitment to youth empowerment and cultural celebration, emphasising the significance of celebrating the region’s rich cultural heritage and promoting sustainable development. Speaking on the Commission’s support for music and culture at the inaugural Niger Delta Cultural Music Festival, known as NIDCUM Fest, in Port Harcourt, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, described the event as a convergence of culture, music and development. The NDDC Chief Executive Officer, who was represented by the Commission’s Director, Corporate Affairs, Mr. Pius Ughakpoteni, spoke on the theme: “Empowering Youth and Celebrating Culture.”He said that…

The Oyo State Government has evacuated 359 illegal structures and shanties shielding its public primary and secondary school premises within the Ibadan metropolis. The state Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Architect Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola, during the exercise today, reiterated the government’s commitment to bring sanity to school premises in the State. Arc. Mogbonjubola, about two months ago, directed the issuance of eviction letters, which were dispatched through the principals and heads of the affected schools. The eviction notices were also directly issued to owners of the illegal shops, shanties, and structures, which were acknowledged by them. Arc. Mogbonjubola assured of…

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reiterated his administration’s commitment toward making the State a tourism station in the world in line with the Entertainment and Tourism pillar of the THEMES+ developmental agenda. Governor Sanwo-Olu said his government is intentional about making Lagos State, particularly Badagry, a preferred tourism destination. He spoke on Monday, 23 October, 2023, while receiving the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa who led a delegation of Nigerians in the Diaspora for a courtesy visit at Lagos House, Ikeja. The delegation included Dr. Julius Marcus Garvey Jnr.,…

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has commenced the first phase of its novel programme, Holistic Opportunity Projects of Engagement, also known as Project HOPE, with training of supervisors and collation officers.Speaking during the flag off of the training at the Rivers State Information, Communication and Technology, ICT, Centre in Port Harcourt, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, said that the Commission would ensure that the youths were equipped with skills to get them gainfully engaged.The NDDC Boss, who was represented by the Commission’s Director of Commercial and Industrial Development, Dr. Godwin Nosiri, noted: “We are blessed to have…

In a bid to guarantee peaceful conduct of the November 11th Governorship election in Imo State, Sir Tony Ejiogu, the Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has sued for peace among Imolites, political parties and stakeholders in the State. Ejiogu made the call after signing a peace accord alongside other candidates at the Assumpta Cathedral in Owerri on Sunday, October 22. Speaking to newsmen after signing the accord, the APGA candidate said it was important that all political actors and other stakeholders in the state commit to peaceful electoral conduct as the democratic process cannot be deemed…

On Thursday, 26 October, 2023, TheNiche Newspaper will once again fulfill its annual corporate social responsibility obligation, spearheaded by its developmental arm, TheNiche Foundation for Development Journalism, by holding its signature annual lecture. The lecture will hold at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos at 10am. This year’s edition of TheNiche Lecture will feature the former Governor of Rivers State who is also a former Minister of Transportation, Mr. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, as the Guest Speaker. Amaechi will speak on the theme: “Why we Stride and Slip: Leadership, Nationalism and the Nigerian Condition.” Dr. Uma Eleazu,…

The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello escaped assassination on Sunday, 22 October, 2023 when he was attacked by gunmen dressed in military uniforms, reports thegazellenews.com According to a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, the incident occurred at about 4pm on Sunday, 22 October, 2023, when the Governor was few kilometers away from Abuja from Lokoja on his way to an official engagement. “The attacks were at three different points, the last barricade being around Kwali Federal Capital Territory at about 4.20pm,” the statement said. Below is the full statement from Fanwo: 1. The…

In what appears as an uncommon political development, former Ekiti State Governors, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, Chief Ayodele Fayose and Dr. Kayode Fayemi on Sunday unanimously endorsed incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji for a second term in office based on his unique leadership style and development strides. The three former Governors who spoke through Fayose said they have reviewed Oyebanji’s one year in office and believe he deserved a second term, having united every political and religious tendencies in the state and mobilize the people for massive development. The trio spoke just as the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele said he will…

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 40-year-old Madrid, Spain-based ‘businessman’, Sherif Egbo Ally at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja while attempting to board an Air France flight to Paris, France, after they discovered he ingested illicit drugs. According to a statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, Egbo was arrested on Saturday, 14 October, 2023 after body scanner revealed he had wraps of illicit drugs in his stomach. He was subsequently placed under observation at the agency’s exhibit recovery room where he excreted 93 pellets of heroin weighing…

Following its consistent positive performance in generating revenue, Ogun State has been ranked as Nigeria’s leading Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) state on Index A1. This was made known in the State of the States 2023 report by BudgIT, which posits that states that rank higher on Index A1 have been able to significantly grow their IGR year-on-year and are progressively reducing their reliance on federal allocations. Ogun, which beats other states to emerge as Nigeria’s most improved state on Index A1 with an index point of 0.53, is closely followed by Kaduna (0.47), Bauchi (0.41) and Rivers (0.36) in the…