Author: Khadijah Olowode

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), has announced May 20, 2024 as deadline for political parties contesting in the forthcoming Ondo State governorship election, to submit names of their candidates. INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made this disclosure on Monday, 13 May, 2024 during a consultative meeting with political party leaders ahead of the 2024 Edo and Ondo States governorship elections. Yakubu stated that parties were expected to finalise and submit the names of their candidates before May 20, adding that there will be no extension of time. This, according to him, is when the portal for candidates…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Nigeria midfielder, Kelechi Nwakali faces serious sanctions by Portuguese SuperLiga side, Chaves after he was caught using his phone while on the substitutes’ bench. Nwakali started Chaves’ league clash with Famalicao last weekend but was replaced at half time. Chaves lost the keenly contested encounter 1-0. The modest side were relegated from the Portuguese top-flight following the defeat. Nwakali is expected to be sanctioned by the club for his action. It would be recalled that disciplinary issues also cost him his contract at Spanish club Ponferradina after he reportedly returned to the club late from the delayed…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike An officer of the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS), Abdulwahab Magaji, serving in the Federal Capital Territory, reportedly shot himself dead in his residence on Binta Street, Farm Estate area, Abuja. It was gathered from a senior law enforcement officer that the sad development happened last Monday. According to the source, the family of the deceased had raised the alarm that Magaji had shot himself with a rifle, prompting police officers to visit the scene of the incident. The source added that when the police arrived at the scene, the victim was reportedly rushed to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital,…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Facts emerged over the weekend that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) plans to join forces with the United Kingdom prosecutors as an interested party in the trial of former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, in a UK court. A team from the anti-graft commission is expected in London to initiate this process by filing relevant documents, the Nation reports. According to a source privy to the information, the EFCC intends to share its findings and the Abuja high court’s forfeiture order concerning Diezani’s $2.5 million properties and vehicles with the UK court. “This country may not…

Justice A.K Dagat of the Federal High Court, Maiduguri on Thursday, May 9, 2024, convicted and sentenced one Bana Alhaji Lawan to one year imprisonment. Lawan was arraigned by the Maiduguri Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a one count charge for carrying out bureau de change businesses without an appropriate licence. The lone- count read: “That you, Bana Alhaji Lawan between 2007 and 2024, in Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did carry on other financial business, to wit bureau de change business without a license issued by Central Bank…

Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Monday, May 13, 2024, ordered the final forfeiture of a parcel of land measuring 2348.072 square metres in Enugu State recovered from the duo of Babatunde Said Adeola and Kingsley Ifeanyi Adonu to the Federal Government. Adeola and Adonu, owners of S. Mobile Netzone Limited, Biss Networks Nigeria Limited and Pristine Networks Mobile Networks Nigeria Limited, had presented themselves as telecommunications experts with flourishing businesses and joint ventures with MTN Nigeria and other companies.The Commission, however, received a petition alleging a case of conspiracy and obtaining the…

President Bola Tinubu on Monday, 13 May, 2024, launched a campaign to promote inclusive education, skill development, and gender equity. The campaign tagged, #WeAreEqual, is an initiative of the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD). The campaign has been launched in 15 African countries in different iterations, focusing on health, education, economic empowerment, and gender-based violence. The Nigerian component of the programme is tagged, ‘Education as a Powerful Tool for Change’, championed by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON. Speaking at the launch of the campaign at the State House, President Tinubu saluted the commitment of African…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike A soldier identified as Yahaya Ayuba (Zabuyia) has been reportedly killed, while his stepmother was abducted at Anguwan Rimi village in Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State. A family member, Mr Kantiok Solomon, confirmed the sad development on Monday, 13 May, 2024 According to him, the soldier arrived from Lagos on the evening Sunday, 12 May, 2024 and the gunmen entered the house while he (the soldier) was having a discussion with his family members at the palace. “The incident happened last Sunday, at around 11:pm, when the bandits wielding AK-47 rifles invaded the house…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Monday, prayed the Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja to dismiss a petition filed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its governorship candidate, Murtala Ajaka, against the election victory of Gov. Usman Ododo of Kogi. Also, Gov. Ododo and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), told the three-member panel of justices, headed by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu, to dismiss the petition in its entirety for being incompetent and lacking in merit. The trio, through their lawyers; Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN; Joseph Daudu, SAN and Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, respectively, told…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The former member of the Board of the Trustees, BoT, of the Peoples Democratic Party( PDP), and a former ally of Governor Godwin Obaseki, Charles Idahosa has rejoined the All Progressives Congress(APC). Idahosa said he was rejoining the party he left with Obaseki about four years ago to ensure victory for the APC in the September 21 governorship election. He made this statement at his residence where he was received by leaders of the party, led by the Secretary of the APC in Edo State, Lawrence Okah. Idahosa revealed that his greatest regret while in PDP, was…

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has joined her counterparts in the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), to re-emphasise the need for collective action towards gender equity and closing the gap through the #WeAreEqual campaign. Senator Oluremi Tinubu in her address at the launch of #WeAreEqual campaign by OAFLAD, at the State House on Monday, 13 May, 2024, said she has chosen education as the focus of the campaign in Nigeria. “The theme for #WeAreEqual Campaign in Nigeria is “Education as a Powerful Tool for Change: No Girl Left Behind. The Campaign is focused on…

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has called on members of the armed forces to keep their focus on the restoration of peace and stability across troubled areas of the country. The Governor said the economic recovery efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu rested on the premise of law and order, noting that the seed of the President’s economic vision would germinate quicker if the military tightened its grip over those attempting to undermine the nation’s security. Sanwo-Olu spoke while receiving the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, in a courtesy call on Monday, 13 May, 2024, at the…

By Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu Considering the world’s need for peaceful co-existence and positive moves towards sustainable development and family-oriented growth and advancement, the CAC women in Canada just recorded a new first in spiritual family orientation. The women, under the aegis of Christ Apostolic Church, Way-to-Life, Ottawa, Canada, organized a one-week marathon prayer, lectures, health talks and visit cum gifts presentation anniversary program, tagged Canada-for-Christ, with the theme, ‘The Role of Women in Development of the Home, Church and Community’. The week which started on Monday, May 6, 2024, with daily marathon prayer-hour prayers and lectures coordinated by Pastor Mrs Omowunmi…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Residents of Zaria in Kaduna State were on Sunday, 12 May thrown into mourning mood following the arrest of one AbdulAzeez Idris, who allegedly abducted and killed his six-year-old cousin, Aisha Dahiru. The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, while confirming the case, said Dahiru was kidnapped while on her way to Islamiya school (Qur’anic school). Hassan disclosed that the six-year-old was killed after being recognised by the cousin while hostage. This was despite the abductee collecting a N8m ransom through an unknown caller, according to the police spokesman Hassan, who said the incident happened on February…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The 2024 National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) Internal Examinations timetable has been released. The release marked the commencement of a crucial period for secondary school students across Nigeria, and with this new development the candidates and educators alike are gearing up for the rigorous assessments ahead. The examination body made this disclosure on its X platform post, @Neconigeria. The indigenous examination body disclosed that the exam begins Wednesday, 19 June, 2024, and ends Friday, 26 July, 2024.

As the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia begins on Wednesday, 15 May, 2024, Independent Hajj Reporters, IHR, a faith-based Civil Society Organization, CSO, that monitors and reports Hajj and Umrah activities has called on the Federal and state governments to make adequate security arrangements for pilgrims at embarkation points across the country. IHR said Inna statement Monday, 13 May, 2024 signed by its National Coordinator Ibrahim Mohammed that over 65, 000 intending pilgrims from Nigeria will be leaving their homes to various Hajj camps for screening and onward transportation to about 15 airports within the next 30 days. Such mass movement of…

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has congratulated the World record holder, Tobi Amusan, for emerging as the fastest woman in the women’s 100m hurdles this year after running a blistering 12.40s to win the first Jamaica Athletics Invitational in Kingston. Amusan won the race ahead of Jamaican and World Champion, Danielle Williams. Abiodun, in a congratulatory message, described Amusan as a woman of strong will and character, adding that the athlete has made Ogun State and Nigeria proud for her exceptional talent and skill. “On behalf of the government and the good people of Ogun State, I heartily congratulate…

By Fred Femi Akinfala In Nigeria, the demand for higher education continues to rise, leading to an increasing need for financial assistance among students. One of the ways students can fund their education is through student loan schemes provided by government and financial institutions. Having served as a lecturer and student advisor for over a decade, I have encountered numerous instances of ‘ghost’ students within educational institutions. These individuals, though not spectral beings, are essentially fake students who either gained improper admission, deliberately forged admission letters or students’ ID cards or were removed from the school’s records due to academic…

In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at empowering adolescent girls and young women, Yaba College of Technology, UNICEF and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) have joined forces to launch the Girls’ Education and Skills Partnership (GESP). This innovative program seeks to enhance access to skills and economic opportunities, equipping young women with the tools they need to thrive in today’s world. Kicking off this ambitious endeavor is the Course Design Workshop (CDW) to Develop Gender-Responsive Learning Resources as Open Education Resources (OERs) organized by Yaba College of Technology. Spearheaded by UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited initiative, the workshop is set…