Author: Khadijah Olowode

A research carried out by Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU)has revealed that pollution from man-made emissions and other sources like wildfires have been linked to around 135 million premature deaths worldwide between 1980 and 2020 NTU, unveiling the results of a study led by its researchers on Monday, 10 June,2024, said weather phenomena like El Nino and the Indian Ocean Dipole worsened the effects of these pollutants by intensifying their concentration in the air. According to the study, the tiny particles called particulate matter 2.5, or “PM 2.5” are harmful to human health when inhaled because they are small enough to…

Israel’s centrist War Cabinet Minister, Benny Gantz, has announced his resignation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s emergency government and called for new elections. Gantz offered reason for his resignation, saying “Unfortunately, Netanyahu is preventing us from advancing toward the real victory. Strategic decisions are met with hesitation due to political considerations,” Gantz said. Echoing increasing public protest against Netanyahu’s government, Gantz called for a new round of elections in the fall, just as he also urged Netanyahu to set an agreed date to hold them. Responding to Gantz resignation, Netanyahu released a statement saying that “Israel is in an existential war…

The agricultural component of the Holistic Opportunities for Programme and Engagement, Project HOPE, of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has secured over 100 hectares from Itak Ikot Udo community in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State for its agricultural scheme.The NDDC Director, Agriculture and Fisheries, Mrs. Winifred Madume, led a delegation of the Commission’s officials during the inspection and verification of the land donated by the community for the Project Hope rural farming scheme.Madume, who represented the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, expressed gratitude to the community leaders and all the stakeholders that had thrown…

Farm Zone, Nigeria’s leading livestock supplier, has announced its Eid Sales ahead of the Eid al-Adha festival, aiming to support Muslim faithful across Nigeria with affordable, quality livestock. In a statement to announce the sales event in Lagos, Farm Zone expressed its commitment to supporting all its customers to celebrate the Eid festival with ease by offering unbeatable prices and exceptional services to all customer segments. The sales event provides an invaluable opportunity for customers to purchase from a rich inventory of livestock available at various Farm Zone yards in Lagos. Customers can choose from goats, rams, cows, and even camels, all…

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, has re-stated the commitment of the Commission to complete all its ongoing development projects, including the Amassoma shoreline protection project in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. Speaking during the celebration of the 20th Coronation Anniversary of King Oweipa Jones-Ere III, at Ogboin-Tu Royal Palace, Ogbopina Pele in Amassoma, Ogbuku assured the people that the NDDC would ensure that the project was diligently executed and completed. The NDDC Chief Executive Officer, who was conferred with a chieftaincy title at the occasion, told the gathering that the…

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has disclosed that crude oil exports accounted for 80.80 percent of Nigeria’s export figure in the first quarter of 2024. The NBS, which made this disclosure in its latest foreign goods trade data report, stated that crude oil exports stood at N15,486.63 billion in Q1 2024. Conversely, non-crude oil exports stood at N3,680.73 billion, accounting for 19.20 percent of total exports. According to the data report, this brings the country’s total exports in the quarter under review to N19,167.36 billion. “Exports trade in the first quarter of 2024 was dominated by crude oil exports valued…

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday, 10 June, 2024, received South-West Governors, who are currently in Lagos for their zonal meeting. Governor Sanwo-Olu, accompanied by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hazmat; received Governors Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Ondo; Dapo Abiodun, Ogun; Seyi Makinde, Oyo; Ademola Adeleke, Osun; and Biodun Oyebanji, Ekiti; at the Lagos House, Ikeja. The meeting by the South-West Governors Forum is expected to address issues affecting the zone and Nigeria as a whole. The South-West Governors Forum is the umbrella body for all the six governors in the geo-political zone. The close-door meeting, which started around 12noon is…

Nigerians and other African citizens seeking a Schengen Visa to enter the European Union will have to pay an extra £10 as the visa fee surged to £90 from £80. This was contained in the latest data released by Schengen visa statistics at the weekend. The EU Commission stated that as from June 11, 2024, Nigerians and other African Nationals will pay £90 for the visa application fee. According to the data, in 2023, African nationals received 704,000 negative responses for their visa requests. With this latest development, African Nationals spent €56.3 million on visa applications last year only. “This…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Residents of Ikot Uboh, a community in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of Akwa –Ibom State are presently in a mourning mood following the killing of a final-year Electrical Electronics student of state polytechnic in Ikot Osurua, while trying to protect his cellphone from the robbers. The victim, identified as Saviour, was said to have been shot around 8:00 pm on Saturday, 8 June, 2024 near his former residence in Ikot uboh. According to a source close to the school, the armed robbers opened fire on their victim as he tried to raise the alarm. “Apart from his phone, the devils took…

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has announced the disbursement of a US$40-million Intra-African Investment Facility to Fidelity Bank Nigeria Plc to support Fidelity Bank’s acquisition and recapitalization of Union Bank UK as part of its international expansion programme. Provided in two tranches of US$20 million each, the first tranche of the facility enabled Fidelity to part-refinance the acquisition of 100 per cent equity stake in Union Bank UK, while the second tranche was used to support its recapitalisation via the injection of additional equity into the acquired bank, as approved by the United Kingdom’s regulator. With this acquisition, Fidelity Bank…

A Rivers State High Court presided over by Justice Okogbule Gbasam, has thrown out a suit filed by Wosa Amadi and three others seeking to declare the seats of the 27 lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to the immediate past Governor of the state, Nyesom Wike vacant following their defection to the All Progressives Congress(APC) in December 2003. Justice Gbasam in his ruling on Monday, 10 June, 2024, declared that Martin Amaewhuke led 27 lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly are still bonafide members of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) According to Justice Gbasam ,the claimants…

MTN Nigeria, in partnership with Pan-Atlantic University, has announced the 20 Fellows to participate in the third edition of its Media Innovation Programme (MIP) following a rigorous selection process. These top media practitioners have been selected to participate in this initiative aimed at fostering innovation and excellence in media at the Pan-Atlantic University. The application process, which commenced on March 23 and ended on April 10, 2024, received thousands of entries. The School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University faculty reviewed the applications and selected the top candidates who had the most outstanding essays. The 20 fellows began their classes on Monday,…

Two pilgrims to Saudi Arabia from Kwara State, Salihu Mohammed and Hawawu Mohammed have reportedly died in Medina. The Executive Secretary of Kwara State Muslim Pilgrims’ Board, AbdulSalam AbdulKabir, announced the sad occurrences in a statement on Sunday, 9 June, 2024. These incidents increased the number of deaths of Nigerian pilgrims at this year’s Hajj to 5. He said while Saliu Mohammed died in an intensive care unit of a public hospital in Madina after suddenly falling ill, Hawawu Mohammed died “following what Saudi authorities have investigated and found to be an unfortunate suicidal episode from the rooftop of her…

Former Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development in Kwara State, Mahalia Aisha Ahman Pategi was the first Commissioner to resign her portfolio when dissatisfied with some policies of the government and the Governor over local government autonomy. In her recent chat with thegazellenews.com the common loyalist of President Bola Tinubu, discussed issues bothering on the PBAT’s policies and government, autonomy for the third tier of government among others: Q: What is your general assessment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration?* A: Local government autonomy is what will hit the nail. This approach indeed has the potential to address…

A group of lawmakers in the House of Representatives on Monday, 10 June, 2024 proposed an alterations to the 1999 Constitution to give way for the rotation of the Presidency among the six geo-political zones of the country. That is not all, as they also want an amendment to the Constitution to provide for “A single tenure of six years for the President and Governors of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The member representing Ideato South/Ideato North Federal Constituency, Imo State, Ikenga Ugochinyere, who spoke on behalf of the group on Monday, 10 June, 2024 in Abuja, said, “The reduction…

All roads lead to Eric Kayser Restaurant, Bishop Aboyade Cole Str., Bendel Close, Victoria Island, Lagos this weekend as another Nigerian plans to break Guinness World Records. Akinsowon Faderera Edwin, an accountant and a chef, will be making an attempt to become the world record holder in Grill-A-Thon Berbeque for 82 hours. An indigene of Ondo State, the parents are retired civil servants in the Sunshine State. When successful, he will put the 48-year-old state on the world map. Akinsowon is a passionate griller and aspiring world champion, with a background in accounting and a deep love for the culinary…

Renowned businessman and Bolowei of the Niger Delta, High Chief Tunde Smooth has lauded Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, the Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor and members of the House for their sustained contributions to the development of the state. Chief Smooth made the commendation in an interview with journalists at the 1st Anniversary thanksgiving service of the 8th Delta State House of Assembly held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Region 34 Headquarter, Unity Model Parish, Asaba on Sunday, 9 June, 2024. The business mogul applauded Governor Oborevwori for his impactful services to Deltans…

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Sunday, 9 June, 2024, said the state was enjoying peace and progress in hard times despite not borrowing in the one year of his administration. Governor Oborevwori stated this on Sunday, 9 June, 2024, at the 1st Anniversary Thanksgiving Service of the 8th Delta State House of Assembly held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Region 34 Headquarter, Unity Model Parish, Asaba. He said that the state was making impressive progress in infrastructural and human capital development despite the economic hard times bedeviling the country, adding that the state has not borrowed…

Leading ICT company and Official Telecommunications Partner of the Super Eagles, MTN Nigeria has expressed its support for Nigeria’s Super Eagles as they continue in their quest to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Charging the Super Eagles to victory, Tobe Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services & Sustainability Officer, MTN Nigeria said, “The road to success is not always smooth. We are confident in the ability of the team to make Nigeria proud and qualify for the World Cup.” The Super Eagles will play their next match against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic on Monday, 10 June, 2024 at the Houphouet…

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the promotion of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Yahaya Sahabo Abubakar to the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG). Prior to this, Abubakar was the AIG overseeing Zone 14 Katsina. Abubakar will now represent the North East in the Police Management Team, taking over from DIG Habu Sani, who recently retired as DIG, Force Intelligence Bureau. Furthermore, the Commission approved the promotion of 122 senior police officers. These are: 10 Commissioners of Police elevated to AIGs; 15 Deputy Commissioners promoted to Commissioners; and 36 Assistant Commissioners raised to Deputy Commissioners. …