Author: Khadijah Olowode

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum on Tuesday, 4 June, 2024, inaugurated six new secondary schools constructed by his administration. The governor also unveiled a “build back better strategy” aimed at increasing enrollment of new students. The new schools were equipped with modern teaching facilities and sporting complexes. They are Government Day Secondary School, Maiduguri; Government Day Secondary School, 777 Housing Estate; Government Day Secondary School, 1000 Housing Estate; Government Junior Day Secondary School, Wulari; Government Day Secondary School, Bulanulin Diyabe and Government Day Secondary School, Gonifamgari. Borno State Government as part of its “build back better strategy,” has also…

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria Dr Richard Montgomery has declared that the United Kingdom’s ambitious Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) which launched last year and puts in place simpler and more generous trading terms for Nigeria is still in force. The UK officially launched the DCTS in June 2023, which offers fast growing economies like Nigeria one of the most generous sets of trading preferences of any country in the world and demonstrates the UK’s commitment to building a long term, mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries. The DCTS means that a wide variety of products that aren’t…

The communities in Borno State have narrated their ordeal at the hands of Boko Haram terrorists while calling for more engagement of the affected citizens in counter-insurgency and Counter-Terrorism efforts in North East Nigeria. This was the outcome of consultative meeting and recent engagements led by Neem Foundation and The Truth Alliance, a group of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) committed to unmasking the atrocities of rhe terrorist groups like Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP). In a statement on Tuesday, The Truth Alliance Spokesperson, Mr. Ahmed Mustapha, said this was the outcome of the group discussions…

A newlywed woman, Habiba Ibrahim, has reportedly cut the manhood of her 40-year-old husband, Salisu Idris, while he was asleep. DailyTrust reports that Idris, a commercial motorcycle rider and resident of Kudan in Kaduna State, said the incident happened on May 26 after he returned from the early morning prayers. The victim said he was lying on his bed to have some rest when his wife suddenly jumped on him with a sharp knife and cut off his manhood. Idris said his neighbours quickly came in to his rescue him when they heard him shout. `Idris said they got married…

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, (NESREA) with the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is developing a Code of Conduct to guide the behavior of its staff . At the Review and Validation Workshop for the draft Code of Conduct which held Monday in Abuja, the Director General of NESREA, Dr. Innocent Barikor said the very important role the agency plays in protecting the environment, necessitates the adoption of standards and guidelines to govern the actions of staff. Barikor stated that: “The Code of Conduct is being developed as part of the…

The National Project Coordinator (NPC) for the ACReSAL, Prince Abdulhamid Umar, has expressed optimism that the project’s investment in Gboko South, Benue State, will significantly improve the lives of the community members. Speaking during a joint World Bank and Federal Government of Nigeria engagement with the communities, Prince Umar praised the active participation of women in the project’s implementation. According to the National Project Coordinator, the community-driven investment in a palm plantation and processing factory aims to enhance the community’s livelihood, enabling them to send their children to school. The ACReSAL project will also provide farm inputs to support the…

By Abimbola Ogunaike The Nigerian Deposit Insurance Commission(ndic) has kick-started the liquidation process of failed Heritage Bank with verification and payment of the bank depositors. NDIC disclosed this on Monday, 3 June, 2024 following its appointment as liquidator of Heritage Bank by the Central Bank of Nigeria, who announced the revocation of the licence of the bank. In a statement signed by the Acting Director of Corporate Communication, Sidi Ali, the CBN said, “This action has become necessary due to the bank’s breach of Section 12 (1) of BOFIA, 2020. The board and management of the bank have not been…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Nollywood actress and producer, Toyin Abraham has came out to defend her decision to support President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 elections. Recall that after the election, Abraham made a post saying she met with the then incoming President and that he shared some of his ideas with her on how he plans to solve some of the challenges confronting the country. Following the increasing hardship in the country, Abraham has been receiving sticks for her role in bringing the current government to power. Reacting to the backlash during an Instagram Live session Tuesday, 4 June, 2024,…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) for the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Edo and Ondo states by four days. The National Commissioner & Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, who made this disclosure in a statement, said the Commission took the decision after its meeting on Tuesday, 4 June, 2024. Olumekun said the CVR, which was scheduled to end Wednesday, June 5, has been extended to Sunday, June 9, 2024. The electoral umpire also extended the duration of the exercise from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) under his command will soon establish a full drone system to tackle the nation’s security challenges adequately. Egbetokun made this disclosure on Monday, 3 June, 2024 in Ibadan, Oyo State capital while delivering the first distinguished Personality Lecture, organised by the TETFUND Centre of Excellence in Multidisciplinary Studies (TCEMS), University of Ibadan (UI). The Police Chief, who said although the force already had a drone, added that it would now establish a full drone system to capture everywhere in Nigeria from its headquarters…

Total expenditure on direct social investments by the three Shell companies in Nigeria and their partners in 2023 was $42.2 million, a 23% increase compared to $34.29 million in the previous year. Shell exclusively spent $14.1 million. This was a significant mark-up in efforts by The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC,) Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd (SNEPCo) and Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG) as well as their partners — Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC); TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited; NAOC and Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Ltd – to promote the socio-economic development of host communities.…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Senator representing Bauchi North Senatorial District in the Upper Legislative Chamber, Senator Abdul Ningi, On Tuesday, 4 June, 2024 returned to plenary sessions following a three-month suspension. Recall that the Senate had pardoned and recalled him, ending his suspension that began on 12 March, 2024. Last week, Deputy Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro moved a motion for Ningi’s recall, expressing regret on his behalf and taking responsibility for his actions. The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, subsequently announced Ningi’s unconditional recall after pleas from some lawmakers. Ningi’s suspension stemmed from a controversial interview where he alleged discrepancies…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Zamfara Government has disclosed that it has paid about N5.3 billion to settle 13 years backlog of gratuity owed retired civil servants in the state. The State Governor, Dauda Lawal, made this disclosure in a statement issued by his Spokesman, Mr Suleiman Idris in Gusau on Monday, 3 June, 2024. He said that so far, the state government had settled N5.3 billion out of about N8.1 billion owed the retirees. According to Lawal, 2,209 retired local government and primary school teachers have been settled while about 1,642 retired state workers were paid in five batches. “No…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Rivers State Police Command has disclosed that at least two persons died after a tanker suspected to be carrying Liquefied Natural Gas exploded at the Obiri-Ikwerre flyover along the East-West on the outskirts of Port Harcourt in the state. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident and the casualty figure. “Yes I can confirm that two persons died in the tanker fire. Myself and the Commissioner of Police are on the ground as I speak to you. “The fire has been put out but the area is still dangerous because the gas is…

The Director General, D-G of the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, would be x-raying key policies and options available in the country’s drive to strengthen her national economy while aligning with global push towards promoting green economy. This will be the high point at the 3rd National Conference being put together by Oriental News Nigeria, coming up on July 25th , 2024, at Radisson Blue GRA Ikeja, Lagos at 9am. Oriental News Nigeria a leading digital media platform would gather key policy makers, Government and non Governmental Organisations, industry experts in Nigeria’s financial sector to the conference…

The Federal Government has mobilised first responders to the scene of a collapsed mining site in Galadima Kogo, Shiroro Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State. The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake disclosed that the swift action of the Federal Government underscores its commitment to mitigating the adverse impact of the incident and rescuing those still trapped in the rubble. “Upon learning of the incident, we mobilised our Federal Mines Officer (FMO) and officials of the Mines Inspectorate to the site. In collaboration with the mining company, we have rescued seven victims, some with injuries. Rescue operations…

The crisis rocking the Body of Benchers (BOB), the apex regulatory body for the legal profession in Nigeria, has taken a different twist as the Federal High Court in Lagos has issued an interim injunction restraining Asiwaju Adegboyega Awomolo, the Chairman of the body from removing Austin Alegeh SAN as Chairman of the BOB Committee on Appointments. The ruling, delivered by Honourable Justice Lewis Allagoa, came in response to a 50-paragraph affidavit submitted by Alegeh. Justice Allagoa granted Alegeh’s request to prevent Awomolo from making any changes to the leadership of the Appointments Committee. However, the court deferred a decision…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Members of the organised labour comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Tuesday, 4 June, 2024, suspended their strike for five days. The strike which commenced on Monday, 3 June, 2024 was called to protest the failure of the Federal Government to approve new minimum wage by May 31 as well as its failure to reverse the hike in electricity tariff. The TUC Chairman, Festus Osifo who confirmed this on Tuesday, 4 June, 2024, said the latest development is meant to give room for uninterrupted meetings with the tripartite committee on the…

A High Court in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Monday, 3 June, 2024 sentenced a woman, Farida Abubakar, to death by hanging for killing her former husband, Attahiru Muhammad-Ibrahim, who was a Chief Magistrate. Ms Abubakar was first brought to court at the preliminary stage of the case on 25 August 2022 before the main charge was filed against her on 26 July 2023. The prosecution said that the convict stabbed Mr Muhammad-Ibrahim with a sharp object on his abdomen, neck and left arm which led to his death. Delivering judgment, the Chief Judge of the State, Umar Abubakar, who adjudicated…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Gunmen on the night of Sunday, 2 June, 2024 killed the village head of Usmanu in Karim-Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State, throwing residents into mourning. There were also sporadic gunshots which scared away inhabitants of the community. The Chairman of Karim-Lamido LGA, Bitrus Danjos, who confirmed the sad incident to newsmen, explained that the news of the monarch’s death came as a shock to him, especially since the deceased’s younger brother was also killed a few months ago. “I was called from Usmanu Village that the village head, HRH Auwal, was killed by unknown gunmen.The…