Author: Khadijah Olowode

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, has called for considerable attention to the welfare and development of senior citizens across the country. The SSAP-SDGs made this remarks during a strategic partnership meeting with a delegation from the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC), led by the Director-General, Emem Omokaro, PhD. Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire highlighted the importance of integrating the national senior citizens’ policy at the sub-national level to ensure more effective implementation and support for elderly citizens. Recognising the significant contributions and challenges faced by the elderly population, the SSAP-SDGs underscored the…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Brazil Civil defence agency over the weekend disclosed that raging floods and mudslides have killed at least 55 people in southern part of the country and forced nearly 70,000 to flee their homes At least 74 people were injured and another 67 missing from the catastrophic flooding, civil defence said. The toll did not include two people who died in an explosion at a flooded gas station in Porto Alegre, witnessed by an AFP journalist, where rescue crews were attempting to refuel. Fast-rising water levels in the state of Rio Grande do Sul were straining dams and…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has drag the governors of the 36 states of the Federation, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to court over their failure to account for, and publish the agreements of the N5.9 trillion and $4.6 billion loans obtained by their states and the FCT, respectively. The suit, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/592/2024 was filed on Friday on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers – Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi and Valentina Adegoke, at the Federal High Court, Abuja. The statement, which was made available to media houses Sunday,5 May, 2024 asked the…

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have smashed an international drug syndicate with networks in parts of Nigeria, South Africa and Thailand. According to a statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, no fewer than five members of the cartel were arrested in a two-weeks intelligence led operations in Lagos, Abia and Anambra states following the seizure of their illicit drug consignments at the NAHCO import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. He said the unravelling of the drug cartel started on Sunday 20th April when their cargo of four…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Department of State Services (DSS) has sealed off the Al-Ihsan clinic in Ungwan Rogo community in Jos North local government area of Plateau State. It was gathered that on Sunday, 5 May, 2024 that an allegation of quackery and reported death of a patient who received treatment at the clinic resulted in the action of the secret police. A woman reportedly died in the clinic last week following a surgery supposedly performed by one Mr Lukuma Abdul. The incident sparked reactions, with many attributing the death to the surgery, raising concern about the doctor’s medical speciality.…

Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc has released its Unaudited Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements for the period ended March 31, 2024, to the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) and London Stock Exchange (LSE). The Group reported profit before tax of ₦509.3billion, representing an increase of 587.5% over ₦74.1billion recorded in the corresponding period ended March 2023. The Group’s loan book (net) increased by 21.9% from ₦2.48trillion recorded as at December 2023 to ₦3.02trillion in March 2024, while deposit liabilities increased by 26.0% from ₦7.55trillion in December 2023 to ₦9.51trillion in March 2024. The Group’s balance sheet remained well structured, diversified, and…

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum has won the Nigerian Union of Journalists’ Good Governance Award 2024 on education. At the event, which was tagged “NUJ Press Freedom and Governance Award”, 18 journalists and public servants who have distinguished themselves in their careers were honoured. Presenting the award to Zulum, at an event held at Barcelona Hotel, Abuja, on Saturday, the National President of NUJ, Chief Chris Isiguzo, noted that the award was in recognition of Governor Zulum’s laudable achievements in the development of the educational sector and good governance he has provided for the people of Borno. According to the…

The Korean Cultural Centre has revealed its intention to promote collaboration of Korean Pop (KPop) and Nigerian Afrobeat. This is aimed at cultural integration and promoting both genres of music across Nigeria and Korea and further marketing the two brand worldwide. Speaking to journalists at the KPop Hurray Concert in Abuja at the weekend, the Cultural Events and Communications officer of Korean Cultural Centre in Nigeria, Jennifer Ezeonyeasi said: “We are hoping for collaboration between KPop and Nigerian music especially the afrobeat, which will promote both genres and give mileages in both countries and make the two music industries really…

Africans Rising movement is spearheading a campaign on Borderless Africa with massive marches organized in countries across the continent to promote the ideology. A statement at the weekend said: Preparations are on top gear to hold the Borderless Africa Convening from the 23rd – 25th May, 2024 in Lusaka, Zambia. The convening is a 3 day hybrid conference that will bring together all campaigners and stakeholders across the continent and diaspora who work in diverse ways towards the realization of a Borderless Africa. According to the statement, the hybrid gathering will also give an opportunity for Africans everywhere to participate,…

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has described Ogun State as a powerful ally in its development programmes and project implementation. The Special Adviser to the President of the Bank on Industrialization, Professor Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, made the assertion in an interview at the weekend, after a meeting with Governor Dapo Abiodun at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. He said the visit was to discuss on One Agenda, Item 18, that focuses on the development of the Special Agro Industrial Processing Zone and to clarify the subsidiary loan agreement between the state and the Federal Government. “Today, we have clarity on how…

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has disclosed that efforts are in top gear to affiliate the Oba Sikiru Adetona College of Governance with the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, for the training of high ranking government officials. The Governor made this known at the 90th birthday and 64th coronation anniversary thanksgiving of the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, held at the Cathedral Church of Our Saviour, Ita-Olowajoda-Ijasi, Ijebu-Ode on Sunday, 4 May, 2024. He said Permanent Secretaries from the state would be the first to enrol to enable them…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Federal Government has confirmed plans to reduce the number of security checks at the country’s airports. The development comes as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria(FAAN) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) partner to cut down on multiple security checks at Nigerian airports. The Managing Director of FAAN, Olubunmi Kuku, who made this disclosure at the weekend, said multiple airport checks have become a menace in Nigeria. “On the issue of checking my baggage, it borders me so much, and that was the first inquiry that I made when I assumed office. As far…

The Nigerian Army has dismissed a soldier, Abdullahi Ismail after he was found guilty of having sex with his colleague’s wife. According to multiple sources, the Lance Corporal was dismissed during the week at 231 Battalion in Biu, Borno State. “The soldier was fired from the Nigerian Army for sleeping with his colleague’s housewife. We’re happy as this will serve as an example to others involved in this act now common in our barracks,” one of the sources said.

Doris Simeon, a Nollywood actress, has explained why she relocated to the United States. Simeon, who was popular in the Yoruba cinema business in the early 2000s, discussed her relocation in an interview with her colleague, Kunle Afod. The actress revealed that she left Nigeria in 2018 to be closer to her child. “As many people know, my child and his father reside in America, and that’s one of the reasons I decided to relocate here,” she said. “I left Nigeria in 2018 and I have not returned since then. I miss Nigeria a lot. The things I miss most…

The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON has felicitated the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu on his 53rd birthday. Akpabio, in a birthday message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh described Kalu as a “rising star, a reliable colleague and outstanding legislator”. He applauded Deputy Speaker Kalu for effectively collaborating with him and other lawmakers to give Nigeria a voice and a place of pride at the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) after 49 years. The Senate President stated that as Deputy Speaker, Kalu has exuded…

President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga has been selected to speak at the 5th edition of Timeline Awareness Initiative Lecture/Awards, coming up Wednesday, 29 May, 2024, at Radisson Blu Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos. The informative and educative programme that is being put together by Timeline Nigeria, an online news portal, is aimed at getting all and sundry acquainted with the sociopolitical happenings in the country and also honour distinguished Nigerians in politics and business sectors. The theme of this year’s event whose Chairman and Co-chairman are Senators Orji Uzor Kalu and Olorunnimbe Mamora respectively…

Retired NBA star Stephen Jackson didn’t go ahead with his marriage to his fiancée, Imani Showalter, after she refused to sign a pre-nuptial agreement. A prenuptial agreement, often abbreviated as “prenup,” is a legal document that two people sign before getting married. Its purpose is to specify the division of assets and debts in the event of a divorce or separation. It can also address other issues such as spousal support and the rights of each partner during the marriage. The terms of a prenuptial agreement are agreed upon by both parties and can provide clarity and security for both…

‘The Man Died’, one of Nigerian author Wole Soyinka’s best-known writings, will be adapted into a movie starring Nollywood veteran Wale Ojo as the renowned writer. The memoir details Soyinka’s deepest feelings during the late 1960s Nigerian Civil War, when he was detained by the government as a political prisoner. On Thursday, May 2, Awam Amkpa, the director of the adaption, revealed on Instagram that the movie will be out in July 2024. Two years following the end of the war, in 1972, Soyinka wrote the autobiographical work. Being the first Sub-Saharan African to win the Nobel Prize in Literature…

By Babajide Kolade-Otitoju The media plays a critical role in shaping our perceptions of the world around us. It has the power to influence our beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours. However, the media is often criticized for its negative portrayal of people, events, and situations. It’s easy to get caught up in the cycle of negativity and despair, but what if the media shifted its focus to inspire hope and positive change? In this blog post, we’ll explore the ways in which the media can be a force for good and discuss how shifting narratives can create a better world for…

The Old Students Association of Ansar-ud-Deen Grammar/Secondary School Class of 84, will be celebrating its 40 years anniversary of their graduation from the school in June, 2024. This was made known via a press statement issued and signed by Abdul Wasiu Kehinde, Chairman of the Planning Committee for the event on Sunday, 5 May, 2024. To celebrate the landmark anniversary themed, My Alma Mata: Towards Relationship That Matters And Friendship That Lasts, a 4-day activities have been lined up by the organising committee of the event. The celebration will commence on Wednesday, 19 June, 2024, with a courtesy visit to…