Author: Khadijah Olowode

Operatives of the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 arrested 52 suspected internet fraudsters at their hideout in Abraka, a university town in Delta State.The suspects were arrested following actionable intelligence linking them to internet-related activities fraud. Those arrested are: Okpoikibo Blessing, Seth Chukwumah,  Success Oghenekuwe, Ugboko Constance, Michael Amen, Ebiren Emmanuel, Emuerhime Louis Victory, Wisdom Uwaoluetan, Odiri Ejiro, Ejenavi Maro, Oyinkepreye Eric, Prosper Enahoro, Ogbebor Princewill, Ogbebor Clinton, Enabor Peter Odianosen, Apoi Ufuoma., Apo Purity, Emmanuel Chukwuemeka, Andrew Ogwu, Joshua Osiobe, Christian Skinn, Opiete Godbless and Ugbok Justin. Others are: Johnson Chinechere, Okpidi…

The Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, B-Zone, expresses its profound displeasure, disappointment, and concern over the marginalization of Southern Muslims especially the South West in recent political appointments by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR and Governors of Lagos, Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo, Osun, Edo, Delta and other southern States. The Society deems these appointments as clear instances of injustice, unfairness, and a blatant disregard for equity. During his inaugural speech and at his public interaction with Muslim Ummah of South Western Nigeria (MUSWEN), President Bola Ahmed Tinubu promised to lead an inclusive government without fear or favour. However, it is disheartening…

THE list of prospective Commissioners released by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu last week has given another indication that the Lagos State Government has slipped into a deep-dye prejudice and discriminations against the Muslims in the State. On Friday the 28th of July 2023, the Lagos State Government reeled out the list of prospective Commissioners of the State for the House of Assembly’s approval. The list, if anything, exhibited callous insensitivity to diversity, equity and fairness. Is the government saying there are no competent Muslims to fill these positions? This action leaves a sour taste in…

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, says that the Commission needs sustainable partnerships that will enhance the lives of the people and contribute to the development of the Niger Delta region. Speaking when he hosted a delegation from the Stanbic IBTC Bank at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, Ogbuku stated that the Commission will collaborate with partners that bring feasible and long-term solutions to the development challenges in the region. Ogbuku said: “Right now, our core policy focus is partnerships that will bring positive changes to the Niger Delta region. We are…

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved the release of additional one billion naira towards completion of the ongoing reconstruction works at the Maiduguri Monday Market which was razed in February, this year. Zulum announced the latest intervention on Monday, 31 July, 2023, in Maiduguri during an inspection visit to the market to assess progress of rebuilding. The Governor also announced September 2023 as target for reopening of the market which has been closed for five months to undergo reconstruction. “I want to assure you (traders and the people of Maiduguri) that we shall complete this reconstruction work very…

Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory was agog on Monday, 31 July, 2023 as hundreds of people marched against human trafficking. The march brought staff of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) from across 23 states of the country to Abuja which was aimed at s sensitizing members of the public on the dangers of human trafficking. The officials of NAPTIP were joined by stakeholders which involved staff of International Organisation on Migration (IOM), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC),among others in the Walk. According to a statement by the spokesman of NAPTIP, Vincent…

The Clerk of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Olalekan Onafeko, has appealed to the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to call off their planned nationwide protests and strike in the interest of the masses. Onafeko called on the labour unions to reconsider their stand as embarking on strike would further heighten the hardship experienced across the country. The Clerk, who made the call on Monday, 31 July, 2023 at a training and capacity development programme organised by the National Assembly for its staff and labour leaders in Lagos, also bemoaned…

By Qudus Kola Balogun Prior to the appointment of Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria in 2017, the Nigerian housing sector had been facing serious challenges that appeared insurmountable. Immediately he assumed office, Dangiwa embarked on revolutionary moves that changed the face of housing in the nation, and his legacies will obviously stand the test of time. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa is an example of the wisdom of putting a round peg in a round hole when it comes to appointing people to run national institutions. This came from his…

Lagos State Government has rolled out relief measures to cushion the current hardship being faced by residents as a result of fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, rising from the State’s Security Council meeting held on Monday, 31 July, 2023 in Alausa, announced a 50 per cent fare reduction across the State-owned public transportation services, effective Wednesday. Commuters using BRT buses and other public transport means operated by Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) and Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY) will enjoy the fare cut. The Governor disclosed that operators in the informal transport sector (commercial drivers)…

The Nigerian film industry has lost another popular actor, reports thegazellenews.com. Yourba actor, Mufutau Ajikanle popularly called Korede Fogo or Buffalo, passed away on Monday, 31 July, 2023. Thegazellenews.com learnt that the actor has been battling with stroke for over seven years. News of his death was broken via an Instagram post by a popular Nigerian filmmaker and actor, Saliu Gbolagade. The late actor was reportedly down with stroke for about seven years. According to report, Ibadan-based philanthropist and pastor, Agbala Gabriel started a fundraising session for the treatment of the actor early July, sadly, the actor couldn’t survive the ailment.

Ogun State Government has commenced the payment of N10,000 palliative to civil servants in the State, reports by civil servants in the state have shown. The move is sequel to the announcement made last week by the Governor of the State, Prince Dapo Abiodun while rolling out palliative interventions following the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government. Disclosing this on Monday, 31 July, 2023, civil servants who spoke on the development expressed delight that the promised palliative fund had started hitting their accounts, saying that this showed clearly that Governor Abiodun is very much concerned about the plight of…

Over 300 appointees who served in the administration of former Governor of Kogi State, Capt. Idris Wada, on Sunday, 30 July, 2023 commended Governor Yahaya Bello over what they described as the complete turn around of critical sectors of Kogi State, saying they had decided to totally submit to his leadership. They also declared their total support for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the November 11 polls, Usman Ododo, describing his detrabilised personality as a good selling point. Speaking on behalf of the others during a courtesy visit to the Government House in Lokoja, the leader…

Mrs. Souad Aden s the Head of Secretariat of the African Union High Level Panel on Stemming Illicit Financial Flows From Africa and also the Working Group on Common Africa Position on Asset Recovery (CAPAR). The two groups have been playing a pivotal role in addressing Illicit Financial Flows from Africa and Asset Recovery. Both groups recently held a two-day conference in addressing Illicit Financial Flows and Asset Recovery in the Extractive Industries in Dakar, Senegal which brought together stakeholders including state agencies, civil society organizations, academia and the media to foster dialogue and collaboration on the promotion of accountability…

Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clubs are to meet with the newly inaugurated board of the league body on Thursday, 3 August, 2023. The meeting scheduled for the Sandralia Hotel in Abuja would be the very first consultative meeting of the club Chairmen/General Managers of the 20 NPFL Clubs. Whilst the agenda for the meeting was not stated in the invitation letter signed by Davidson Owumi, the Chief Operating Officer, the board members and club Chieftains are likely to hold discussions on the 2023/24 season which has tentatively been set to commence on August 26/27. The meeting will also avail…

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has appointed a retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Sikiru Kayode Akande, as the new Chairman of the Board of the Oyo State Security Network Agency codenamed Amotekun. This was as the Governor reappointed all other members of the security outfit’s Board, with Mrs. I.E. Akibode, a Civil Servant, to serve as Secretary of the Board. The Governor, according to a letter by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi, charged the new chairman and the Board members to see their appointments as a call to greater service. The duo of the Special…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike President Bola Tinubu has disclosed that the country has saved over N1 trillion from petrol subsidy in two months. Tinubu made this disclosure on Monday, 31 July, 2023 during a nationwide address on where he spoke about the economy and the impact of subsidy removal. “In a little over two months, we have saved over a trillion Naira that would have been squandered on the unproductive fuel subsidy which only benefitted smugglers and fraudsters. “That money will now be used more directly and more beneficially for you and your families,” the former Lagos State Governor said. “For…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has gave reason for accepting  to serve as minister under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Party( APC) Wike, a member of the of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) stated this on Monday, 31 July, 2023 after he was cleared by the Nigerian Senate for a ministerial role. According to him, his passion for the country propelled him to accept the ministerial offer. “I accepted the offer to serve as a minister because of my passion to serve Nigeria,” the outspoken former Governor of Rivers State said.…

The Alliance for Effective Governance (AEG), a leading advocate for social justice and equality, has expressed deep concern and discontent over the marginalization and under-representation of Muslims in the recent list of Commissioners released by the Lagos State Government on Friday, July 28, 2023. According to the group, the under-representation of the Muslims in the cabinet list undermined the principles of inclusivity and diversity that Nigeria, stands for. “It is public knowledge that only Ten (10) out of the 39 commissioners listed can be confirmed to be Muslims. This represents about 25% Muslims and 75% Christians. There has been outcry…

My fellow citizens, I want to talk to you about our economy. It is important that you understand the reasons for the policy measures I have taken to combat the serious economic challenges this nation has long faced. 2. I am not going to talk in difficult terms by dwelling on economic jargon and concepts. I will speak in plain, clear language so that you know where I stand. More importantly, so that you see and hopefully will share my vision regarding the journey to a better, more productive economy for our beloved country. 3. For several years, I have…

It was a tension soaked last group encounter between Republic of Ireland and the Super Falcons of Nigeria. Whilst the Irish were playing for pride, the Nigerian girls were bent on ensuring their safety to the knockout stage. And it did ended goalless with the Super Falcons picking the knockout ticket after finishing in second position behind Australia. And characteristically, Nigeria’s foremost football fans group, the Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC), have sent their congratulatory message to the Nigerian team for qualifying for the rounds of 16 games. In the message, the National Chairman of NFSC, Ambassador (Rev). Samuel Ikpea…