Author: Khadijah Olowode

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have smashed two major cross-border drug trafficking syndicates, arresting six leaders of the cartels in different parts of the country and seizing cocaine and opioids worth billions of naira. A statement by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi said the syndicates, which comprise Nigerians based in Mubi, Adamawa state; Onitsha, Anambra state, and Lagos state as well as Cameroonians came under NDLEA radar after they were suspected of being major suppliers of drugs to terror groups operating in Nigeria and Cameroon. Babafemi disclosed that the leaders of the syndicates…

By Akeem Busari It was another victorious outing for Nigeria on the continental stage as the national U16 female basketball 3v3 team, claimed gold medal in Dakar, Senegal at the DAKAR EN JAUX 2024 Festival. The Nigerian girls who had earlier claimed a silver medal in Accra, Ghana during the All Africa Games, defeated host country, Senegal 11-8 in the final to become champions. Speaking after the final game, Nigeria’s head of delegation and team coordinator, Victor Okoro, praised the girls for putting up spectacular displays throughout the games. “I’m very proud of this team. I am also happy that…

TheGazelleNews, a leading online newspaper, is set to host its much-anticipated annual public lecture on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Isaac John Street, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos. This year’s lecture will focus on a topic of crucial national importance: “Poverty Alleviation: Fantasies, Expectations, and Realities of People’s Empowerment.” The event will convene distinguished speakers, thought leaders, and government officials to address the challenges and practical solutions surrounding poverty reduction and empowerment in Nigeria. It will feature Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, as the Guest Speaker, who is expected to bring a wealth of…

Since his defeat in the last election, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has shown more interest in undermining President Bola Ahmed Tinubu than in addressing his party’s implosion. We suspect he is envious of Tinubu’s position—an office he has unsuccessfully sought six times. It is perplexing that he would elevate his untested, hypothetical proposal, which Nigerians soundly rejected during the 2023 Presidential Election, and seek to present it as a superior alternative to the multi-faceted reform programmes implemented by the Tinubu administration. If his plan lacked popular appeal, he must acknowledge that merely repackaging it will not resolve the social…

Dear Mr President, While at The PUNCH newspaper, my sobriquet for you was ‘Agbalagbi’. My summary of your person and style of governance, then, was like that of self-styled President, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. You influenced almost every decision-making with pecuniary gains for those involved, making many to find their way to you. No institution was too sacred, religious, cultural, political and even our once sacred Afenifere. The results to be achieved always justified the means of getting same. You were rock-solid with the symbol of our democracy of today, Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Abiola. You learnt the ropes under the…

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum has been nominated for the prestigious Honourary Fellow Award by the Environmental Management Association of Nigeria (EMAN), recognizing him as one of the best environmentally friendly governors in the country. Zulum had received fellowships from the Nigerian Society of Engineers and the Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers, and had also received honorary fellowships from the Nigerian Institute of Architects and the National Postgraduate Medical College. EMAN, the apex professional body for environmental managers in Nigeria, announced the nomination in a statement issued by its National Secretary, Dr. Ubong Harrison. According to the statement, the…

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has called for expanded collaboration with the World Bank to accelerate the state’s post-conflict recovery efforts. Zulum made this call during a meeting with the newly appointed Country Director of the World Bank, Dr. Ndiame Diop, on Friday, 8 November, 2024, in Abuja. He emphasized the importance of the World Bank’s ongoing assistance in critical areas, including education, agriculture, health, and livestock development. He said: “I want to welcome you to Nigeria and wish you success in your new assignment,” adding that: “Borno State has a strong collaborative relationship with the World Bank. My…

The Ogun State Government has awarded the contract for the reconstruction of the road from Ilara in Remo North to Ilishan in the Ikenne Local Government Area of the state. Governor Dapo Abiodun disclosed this on Saturday, 9 November, 2024, during the Afotamodi Day Grand Finale with the theme “A Legacy of Culture and Tradition,” held at the AUD Primary School, Isara-Remo. The Governor also announced that his administration has re-awarded the reconstruction of Awolowo Road in Ikenne, following the inability of the initial contractor to complete the project due to his failing health. Governor Abiodun also added that Phase…

First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has said that for Nigeria to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, Goal 4, which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, it is important for students in schools across the country to be equipped with digital tools. She stated this at the flag-off distribution of U-lesson tablets to primary and secondary schools in the nine states of the Niger Delta Region in Nigeria. The programme is a partnership between the renewed Hope Initiative, RHI and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The First Lady noted…

Musliu Akinsanya popularly called ‘MC Oluomo’ has emerged the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Union (NURTW) after a consensus election by union stakeholders and delegates. He emerged on Saturday evening, 9 November, 2024, at the Quadrennial Delegate Conference at its Zonal Secretariat in Osogbo, Osun State. Four states in southwest: Ogun, Lagos, Ekiti and Ondo state participated in the election after the position had been zone to the region by the national body. The conference which produced Akinsanya was supervised by the acting National President of the union, Aliyu Issa-Ore who noted that the union’s constitution…

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has launched the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and the Renewed Hope Initiative, RHI, partnership in the distribution of 45,000 U-Lesson Educational Tablets in primary and secondary schools across the Niger Delta region. Speaking during the ceremony at the Banquet hall of the State House in Abuja, the wife of the President and founder of the RHI described the initiative as an innovation that provides students with comprehensive learning resources for engaging and Interactive educational experiences. Oluremi Tinubu noted that the technology-driven learning method would enhance educational access and quality for students across the…

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has commenced the channelisation of Kolo Creek, traversing 17 communities from Okarki-Otuogidi to Ogbia communities of Rivers and Bayelsa states. Speaking during the ground-breaking ceremony at Okarki in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said that the project would reduce flooding in surrounding communities and mitigate its impact on the Ahoada axis of the East-West Road. He stated that the channelisation project would also boost commercial activities in the area, improve aquatic life and reduce the threat of water-borne diseases to the rural communities. The…

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Thursday hosted organisers of the #PlayWithKwaraYouth in Ilorin, commending the initiative’s drive for unity, peace, and harmony in the state. Governor Abdulrazaq said his administration remains committed to youth empowerment and inclusion in the scheme of things. Formed in 2022, #PlayWithKwaraYouth hosts yearly editions of sporting events which bring together young people across different demographies to promote unity, understanding, and especially douse political tension. “I thank you for this initiative. Play with Kwara Youths, as said, is to bring youth together, foster unity, progress, and proper engagement and understanding among the youth,” the Governor…

The 9th edition of the Lagos Women run ended glamorously on Saturday with Joy Abiye David retaining the title she clinched last year. The Ondo State runner posted a time of 38:35:21 to win the first position ahead of Cameroon’s Liliane Nguesta who finished with a time of 40:02:54. Charity Ogofure finished in the third position closely with her 40:09:23 effort. It was fun all the way for the participants from the Start point at the Tafawa Balewa Square to the Finish line at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena Onikan. Victorious David received a prize of N1.5m for her efforts, Nguesta…

The learning of Chinese language has continued to gain traction in Nigeria as many young Nigerians see it as opportunity to make end meet. This was the revelation at this year’s Chinese language Contest organised by the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria (CCCN) where 40 contestants slug it out to win the tournament and create a niche for themselves. Many of the contestants are students from Chinese schools all over the country where they study the fast growing language in Nigeria. The winner of the grand prize with cash reward of N250,000 in the competition, Chinecherem Ugwuanyi said she took…

Residents of Katampe Extension, a community in Abuja have raised an alarm that they are now at the mercy of kidnappers and earth tremor following the ongoing illegal activities of land grabbers and the reckless use of high-calibre explosives in their community. They called on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, to intervene and bring sanity back to their community by checking the activities of the land grabbers whose only care is exploitation of people looking for home. Situated on the eastern fringe of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Katampe Extension is bordered by the Katampe Hills…

This is to clarify and inform the general public that the First Lady of Nigeria, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON is not organizing a National Prayer. The news making rounds in some conventional and social media platforms are unfounded and misleading. Consequently, anyone who might have come across the purported news of the joint National Prayer for Nigeria should disregard it as false. Whilst the First Lady, a Christian and strong advocate of prayer and praying for Nigeria believes that prayer is an act that must be done willingly, conscientiously and correctly. She also believes that praying for Nigeria…

Thousands of primary school teachers in Borno State were thrown into excitement on Friday when Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, approved the implementation of N70,000 minimum wage. This was one week after the N70k minimum wage was paid to civil servants working for Borno State Government for their October salaries. The new salary hit the accounts of primary school teachers on Thursday as many posted screenshots of their alerts on different social media platforms. Zulum announced the approval of the pay rise for workers in the state on October 10 in a meeting with the minimum wage implementation committee members.…

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has concluded a tour of West African countries, fostering bilateral relations and garnering support for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. The move is part of Nigeria’s broader foreign policy objectives, which prioritize promotion and protection of national interests, African integration, and international cooperation. Tuggar disclosed that during his visit to Togo, discussion on investment opportunities, particularly in the phosphate industry, which is used in fertilizer production was held. He noted that Nigeria has numerous fertilizer blending plants, and Togo’s rich mineral resources present a lucrative…

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice, has on Thursday ordered Sierra Leone to amend, modify, or repeal its laws on loitering in public places to comply with the country’s obligations under Articles 1, 2, 3(1), and 12(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. A Sierra Leonean NGO, Advocaid Ltd, had filed an application with the Court on 12 April 2022 challenging certain provisions of Sierra Leone’s Public Order Act, Summary Conviction Offences Ordinance, and Criminal Procedure Act which authorise the police to arrest any person who is idle in a public place…