Author: Khadijah Olowode

By Laolu Akande First let me say how liberating to be back to the life of a journalist. I will say more on this very soon. For now I am burdened as a citizen on the problem of Fake news. Having served 8 years as a public servant working as a political appointee, I have witnessed the inherent damages of fake news. As you can imagine I have been a serial victim myself, most time on behalf of my principal. Here are 4 reasons citizens and in our case, Nigerians should reject fake news. *1. Fake news worsens the cynicism…

The people of Kogi State resident in Kano trooped out, Sunday, 11 June, 2023, to receive the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Alh. Usman Ododo. At a consultation meeting at Bristol Palace Hotel, Kano, representatives of the various ethnic groups assured the candidate of their unalloyed support to ensure continuity of the Yahaya Bello legacy. Dr H. O. Amodu who spoke on behalf of the Okun Community in Kano said the people of Kogi State who reside in Kano are solidly behind him in order to ensure that the development strides of the administration in the state is not…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike President Bola Tinubu in his maiden Democracy Day address to the nation on Monday, 12 June, 2023, has admitted that the recent removal of fuel subsidy has imposed hardship on the general public. Tinubu said though he feels the pain on the masses, there is a need for them to sacrifice more for the betterment of the entire nation. According to the President, the temporal discomfort occasioned by the subsidy removal was necessary to save the country from going under. “I feel your pain. This is one decision we must bear to save our country from going…

TEXT OF DEMOCRACY DAY NATIONAL BROADCAST BY PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU ON JUNE 12, 2023. Fellow Nigerians, 2. It is exactly three decades today that Nigerians went to the polls to exercise their inalienable right to elect a President of their choice to lead the transition from military dictatorship to a representative government of the people. 3. The abortion, by military fiat, of the decisive victory of Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the June 12, 1993, presidential election, up to that time, the fairest and freest election in the country’s political evolution,…

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has promised to intervene urgently to restore the erosion-damaged Akinima-Joinkarama Road linking several communities in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State. Speaking at the erosion site, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, sympathized with the people of Akinima and Joinkarama communities, as well as commuters using the road, for the pains they were going through. Ogbuku, who was accompanied by the Executive Director Projects, Mr. Charles Ogunmola and other Directors of the Commission, assured that remediation work at the erosion site would commence immediately. The NDDC boss observed that the damage on the…

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan has urged Nigerians to give maximum support to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his new administration. In his Democracy Day message, Lawan said he had no doubt that this new government would take Nigeria to greater heights and urged the people to accord it their utmost cooperation and support. The Senate President also urged the 10th National Assembly to be inaugurated on Tuesday to consider it worthwhile to relate harmoniously with the executive arm of government for the benefit of Nigerians. The full text reads: “I heartily felicitate Nigerians on this occasion of…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Novak Djokovic created history on Sunday, 11 June, 2023 when he captured a record-breaking 23rd Grand Slam title with a third French Open triumph, reinforcing his case to be crowned the greatest player of all time. The 36-year-old Serb brushed off an early wobble to defeat Casper Ruud of Norway 7-6 (7/1), 6-3, 7-5 and snap the tie of 22 Slams he shared with career-long rival Rafael Nadal. “It’s an incredible feeling to win 23. I’m beyond grateful and blessed to be standing here with so many incredible achievements,” said Djokovic as Nadal immediately described his rival’s…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Immediate-past Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, has disclosed that not a dime was paid for chattering the Ethiopian Airlines aircraft that was used for the unveiling of Nigeria Air, Daily Trust reports. Recall that it was reported how the Federal Government flew in a Boeing 737-800 series aircraft belonging to Ethiopian Airlines into Abuja for the unveiling of Nigeria Air. Shortly after the aircraft landed, Hadi Sirika, Minister of Aviation, expressed delight that after “a very long, tedious, daunting and difficult path”, the project had taken off. However, the minister was silent on many details about the…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike In other to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal, the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has approved the deployment of government buses to support the movement of students and workers in public tertiary institutions within Ilorin, the capital city, and its environs. The bus palliative for the students, covering the metropolis, is the second phase in the measures by the State Government to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal by the federal government. Recall that the state government had earlier reduced workdays for civil servants from five to three weekdays, while bureaucrats worked out other…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) said it is fully committed to its resistance to same-sex marriage. The Bishop Lafia Diocese, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Rt. Rev. Godwin Robinson, made the declaration on Saturday, 10 June, 2023 while delivering the Bishop’s Charge at the ongoing 3rd Session of the 8th Synod of the Diocese. The Synod is being hosted by Mt. Zion Anglican Church Mararaba in Nasarawa State. Robinson, who enlightened the congregation on global matters, briefed the church on the outcome of the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), held at Kigali in Rwanda from April…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike A Nigerian Airforce female Master Warrant Officer George, serving at 651 Base Services Group, was found dead on Sunday, 11 June, 2023, Daily Post reports A sources revealed that the Air Force personnel was found unresponsive at her residence at Block T5 Flat 8 in Sam Ethnan Air Force Base Ikeja, Lagos, after she hanged herself inside her room at about 1400hrs on 10 June 2023. It was said that she was pronounced dead by three Air Provosts who came with another team of personnel to evacuate the body to the 661 Nigerian Air Force Hospital. The…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Human Rights Lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has asked the Department of State Services (DSS) to transfer the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, to the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for a comprehensive probe. President Bola Tinubu had suspended Emefiele on Friday, 9 June, 2023, and shortly after, the Department of State Services (DSS) picked him up. The secret police is currently shopping for an order to keep Emefeile in its custody for full investigation, according to reports. In a statement issued on…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike At least five people were confirmed dead and several others injured in a accident that occurred in Ikaram-Akoko, in Akoko North-West Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Sunday, 11 June, 2023. The casualties were recorded in an accident involving an 18-passenger Toyota Hiace bus with registration number DKA 256 XY. It was gathered that the bus lost control when one of its tyres burst while moving at high speed. Aside from those who died, other passengers reportedly sustained various degrees of injuries. Rescue efforts were carried out by members of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC),…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested ten people, including a police officer and vigilante members for allegedly killing a woman over alleged witchcraft. The command Public relations Officer, SP Suleiman Nguroje, in a statement signed and issued on Sunday, 11 June, 2023, said, “Adamawa State Police Command came across an unfortunate video which has gone viral in some sections of the media, especially social media, where an Inspector of Police and some members of Vigilantes attached to Dumne Divisional Police Headquarters, were sighted maltreating and assaulting three women in an unprofessional manner. “The women were stripped…

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, will join millions of Lagosians on Monday, 12 June, 2023, to celebrate June 12 Democracy Day in the State. Governor Sanwo-Olu will observe the 30th anniversary of the June 12, 1993 election believed widely to have won by the late Chief MKO Abiola. He will join leaders of pro-democracy groups and Civil Society Organisations to celebrate the acclaimed freest and fairest poll in the political history of Nigeria. According to a statement issued on Sunday by his Media Adviser, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, Governor Sanwo-Olu will deliver a Keynote Speech at the 30th Anniversary of…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Kano State Government on Sunday, 11 June, 2023 resumed demolition of structures built on public places that were allegedly sold out by the immediate past administration of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. This current demolition exercise is coming barely a few days after two former governors of the state – Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Ganduje – were involved in war of words over the demolitions. The duo had visited President Bola Tinubu, on Friday, 9 June, 2023, and issue of the demolitions was raised. While Ganduje said he told the President that the demolition was illegal and dangerous for…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has confirmed the arrest of an alleged informant and logistics supplier to a kidnapping and banditry group terrorising the FCT and its environs. The Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the development in a statement on Sunday, 11 June, 2023 in Abuja, Nigeria’s seat of power. Adeh, who said the suspect, arrested by the anti-Kidnapping Unit at the Mongoro Forest, had been on the wanted list of the command, just as she also added that the suspect was arrested over involvement in the supply of…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Security officials attached to the National Assembly Complex in Abuja have arrested some legislative aides and National Assembly workers for allegedly engaging in last-minute looting of the offices of lawmakers and carting away valuables belonging to the second tier of government, Sunday Punch reports. Some of the items, according to the medium, are television sets, cabinet shelves, electronics, computers, printers, furniture, air conditioners, rugs and carpets, and solar power systems. The medium gathered that outgoing and re-elected members of the Senate and House of Representatives were also engaged in moving those items out of their respective offices and…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Bauchi State on Saturday, 10 June, 2023 moved to vaccinate girls in the state against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). It plans to target girls between the ages of nine years and 14 years as HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection. The Bauchi Primary Health Care Development Agency (BASPHCDA) consequently inaugurated a Technical Working Group (TWG) to develop activities geared to support the move. The TWG has medical experts, religious and traditional leaders, civil society organisations, and development partners as members. Addressing the group in Bauchi, the Executive Secretary of BASPHCDA, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, said 16…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike with agency report A survey conducted in Germany has revealed that more than a third of men in the country find violence against women “acceptable.” In the survey results that campaigners described as “shocking” on Sunday, 11 June, 2023, said a total of 33 percent of men aged 18-35 said they found it “acceptable” if “their hand slipped” occasionally during an argument with their female partner. The survey set to be published by the Funke newspaper group on tomorrow Monday, 12 June, 2023, also added that 34 per cent of respondents admitted that they had been violent…