Author: Khadijah Olowode

Reigning African vice-champions Nigeria know they will qualify for the 35th Africa Cup of Nations final tournament if they overcome the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign Matchday 5 encounter in Abidjan on Thursday. This knowledge will inform a feisty approach from the first blast of Senegalese referee Issa Sy’s whistle. After three wins out of their earlier four games (the only draw being the Matchday 2 session with Rwanda in Kigali), the Super Eagles are riding high with 10 points, four more than second-placed Benin Republic, who suffered a glitch in Kigali…

The NNPC Gas Marketing Limited (NGML), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, has successfully executed a Gas Sale and Purchase Agreement (GSPA) with Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE. The agreement, signed by the Managing Director, NGML, Barr. Justin Ezeala and the President/CEO of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote on Tuesday, 12 November, 2024, at the Corporate Head Office of Dangote in Falomo, Lagos State, outlines the supply of natural gas for power generation and feedstock at the Dangote Refinery, in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State. This major milestone is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policy of…

The Director General of Lagos State Sports, Lekan Fatodu, has said Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is proud of the giant strides so far attained by the Lagos Women Run. Fatodu who stated this at the Finish point of the 2024 edition of the event which was the 9th edition said that women empowerment is one of the key priorities of the Governor Sanwo-Olu administration. The Lagos State Sports DG was all over the place at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, where the participants converged to receive their certificates, prizes and afterwards had an after event party. Fatodu interacted with the participants, runners…

The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu has charged the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) to show more interest in the financial and technical capabilities of intending investors before government assets were entrusted to them. The Minister also decried the consistent vandalism of power infrastructure by bandits and terrorists across the country. He noted that some of those acts were deliberate sabotage against the government. The Minister spoke on Tuesday, 12 November, 2024, when the management of ICRC visited him at the headquarters of the ministry in Abuja. According to Adelabu, part of the challenges that the power sector is…

The European Union (EU) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has collaborated in the fight against violation of human rights in Nigeria, joining forces to inaugurate the Human Rights Defenders Forum aimed at combating the numerous challenges of safeguarding human rights in the country. Speaking at the Civil Society Consultation on the State of Human Rights in Nigeria and the Inauguration of the Human Rights Defenders Forum, which had in attendance Portugal Ambassador, Paulo Santos and Belgium Ambassador, Pieter Leenknegt, the Executive Secretary, NHRC, Tony Ojukwu lamented that in recent years, “we have witnessed alarming trends, including restrictions on…

The ongoing fight against drug abuse and trafficking in the country gets a boost as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to share vital intelligence, facilities, and expertise. Speaking at the signing ceremony at the NDLEA Headquarters in Abuja, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the anti-narcotics agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) noted that the renewed partnership between NDLEA and NAFDAC will curb substance abuse and protect public health. This position was also affirmed by the Director General of…

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has inaugurated a summit aimed at reforming the Almajiri education system. Almajiri education system is a traditional Islamic method of learning widely obtained across states in northern Nigeria. The event held at the conference hall of Musa Usman Secretariat was graced by education stakeholders, religious leaders, and community advocates to discuss innovative strategies to integrate the Almajiri system with basic formal education. The summit provided a platform for participants to discuss issues, share insights and propose actionable solutions to the challenges faced by the Almajiri education system. Addressing the gathering, Zulum emphasised the need…

Some officers and men of the Nigerian Immigration Services have decry unwantom interference in the official work of the Comptroller General of the Immigration Services, CGIS, stating that the continued political meddling and unconstitutional reelings of promotion of certain officers with impunity will soon sink the service into muddy waters unless urgent intervention is taken by the authorities. According to reports filtering from the service, since the assumption of office, the current Minister of Interior being the supervising Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has caused serious irregularities using special promotions in elevating juniors over their seniors; thus, causing discord, insubordination and gross…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned two members of an alleged syndicate, Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim for impersonating and attempting to blackmail the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede. They were arraigned on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 before Justice Jude Onwuebuzie of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, sitting in Apo, Abuja. The suspects allegedly contacted Mohammed Bello-Koko, former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, claiming to have access to a phoney investigation involving him by the EFCC. They demanded $1 million, promising that Olukoyede would ensure a “soft landing” for them.…

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has presented the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the House of Assembly, with the infrastructure development and education sector getting the lion’s share. The Governor, while presenting the budget estimate of N678.086 billion to lawmakers at the House of Assembly, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, said the government plans to spend 51 per cent of the proposed budget on capital expenditure, while recurrent expenditure will take 49 per cent. According to the Governor, infrastructure will get N152.265 billion, which represents 22.46 per cent of the total budget estimate, which he maintained was a product of the feedback received…

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday called on Lagosians to be more safety conscious to avoid fire incidents which has become a regular occurrence in the state. The Governor spoke at the opening of new fire stations at Ijegun-Egba and Ijede, Ikorodu. The Governor was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Barr. ‘Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin at the Ijede commissioning, while the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties, Mr. Sesan Tunde Ogundeko, represented him at the Ijegun-Egba commissioning. In his address, the Governor said the two new stations at Ijegun-Egba and Ijede, Ikorodu, were sited where they are…

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has declared the resolve of the Commission to beam stronger searchlights on the nation’s insurance industry. He made the declaration in Abuja on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 when a delegation of the management team of National Insurance Commission, NICOM, led by Commissioner of Insurance and the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Olusegun Ayo Omosehin paid him a courtesy visit at EFCC’s corporate headquarters Speaking at the occasion, Olukoyede noted that “The issue of insurance fraud is a major albatross to our economic development. We are ready to…

The Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, has taken over the investigation of three suspected illegal crude oil dealers, alleged to be dealing in petroleum products without an appropriate license. The Nigerian Navy Ship , NNS Forward Operating Base Ibaka, handed over the arrested suspects to the EFCC on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, for further investigation and possible prosecution. The suspects Victory Smart Bassey, Ita Okon and Michael Akpa, were arrested on November 5, 2024 along Ibeno waterways, while on patrol by Naval officers. They were arrested onboard a wooden boat ladened with about 60, 000 …

A group of Nigerians have shown solidarity with Cuba over recent electricity crisis and the devastation caused by Hurricane Oscar, calling for immediate end of the economic blockage of Cuba. The group, Nigerian-Cuban Graduates Association in a letter of solidarity to the Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, Miriam Morales Palmero signed by Dr. Olaitan Fafure (President) and Dr. Adie Patrick Adie (Secretary), said: “We extend our heartfelt solidarity and support to the government and people of Cuba as they confront the recent electricity crisis and the devastation caused by Hurricane Oscar. “We stand with Cuba in these challenging times, recognizing the…

The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has assured Nigerians of the security of the nation’s critical national assets and infrastructure (CNAI) and subsequent economic recovering. Speaking at the Passing out Parade of the 3rd batch of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals in Abuja, the Minister who was represented by the Secretary, Civil Defence, Correctional Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), Ahmed Ja’afaru, said with the knowledge-driven skills imparted into the Mining Marshals, there is hope and a future for the nation because the protection of the CNAI is a sine qua non to the…

By Mayowa Okekale The phenomenon of leadership at theoretical and conceptual stage differ but in the world of Charles Handy (1985), good leader possesses traits that lead to success. Abraham Lincoln defined democracy as the government of the people, by the people and for the people. This suffice that leadership, in a democratic process, must be centred around the people, doing the will of the people and acting on behalf of the people. Leadership in democracy confesses acceptability (consensus) compatibility, participation and representation. This brings me to the personality of Rep. Abass Adigun, popularly known as Agboworin, who is the…

As the race towards clinching the prestigious stool of Owa Obokun is gradually gaining momentum, Arimoro Family, has concluded arrangements to submit Prince Kayode Micheal Adewale Arimoro’s name as the first line Candidate for ratification by the Kingmakers. In a transparent selection process, conducted by a three- man Committee, and endorsed by Arimoro Family, Prince Adesoji Joseph Arimoro also emerged the runner-up, indicating that the family presented only two candidates, an evidence of strong internal cohesion. Under the new arrangement, it is the turn of Bilaro Oluodo Ruling House to present the next Owa Obokun of Ijesha land. Within the…

Only Spain-based forward, Sadiq Umar was being expected as Nigeria’s juggernaut rolled sturdily into the much-familiar environment of Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny on Tuesday, with 22 players set for the team’s first training session ahead of a potentially-explosive Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against neighbours Benin Republic on Thursday, 14 November, 2024. “We have 22 players, with only one person to join the team in the early hours of Wednesday. It has been a particularly great atmosphere here in Abidjan, and we are all very positive going into the first training session ahead of the match,” Coach Augustine Eguavoen told thenff.com on…

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has committed $2.3 million to procure 4.8 million doses of life-saving malaria tablets from Swiss Pharma (Swipha) in a landmark partnership that will expand access to essential medicines in Nigeria and West Africa. This procurement, to be facilitated through the U.S. Government’s President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), underscores the United States’ dedication to advancing Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure and ensuring life-saving treatments reach vulnerable communities. A statement on Tuesday, 12 November, 2024, said for years, Nigeria has faced significant challenges in procuring affordable, high-quality medicines due to the high cost of production and the inability…

Angola has expressed willingness to improve trading and bilateral relations with Nigeria, revealing that the year 2025 would be opened with the meeting of Angola-Nigeria Bilateral Joint Commission to update all legal instruments that guide the two countries political, economic and military cooperation. Speaking at the celebration of the 49th Angola Independence Day in Abuja on Monday evening, 11 November 2024, the Angola Ambassador to Nigeria, Benin, Niger and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Jose Bamoquina Zau said as part of the efforts to strengthen relations with Nigeria, “By 2025, we want to open the year with the…