Author: Khadijah Olowode

Leading intellectuals, policymakers, technocrats, and changemakers would be gathered in Abuja to engage in stimulating discussions and showcase bold ideas and disruptive solutions that can propel Africa towards a future of inclusive prosperity and sustainable development. The gathering is organized by the School of Politics, Policy & Governance (SPPG) in partnership with Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation, named “Big Ideas Platform” The first edition under the broad theme of “Reawakening the African Renaissance: Pathways to Inclusive Growth and Development”, debuted in 2023 and had five dynamic citizens of Africa whose ideas illuminated bold solutions that can enhance the quality of life…

The Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of France to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Jean Francois Hasperue has disclosed that France supported Nigeria’s health sector with €3 million in 2023. This according to him goes to non governmental agencies (NGOs) to improve healthcare delivery in the country. He noted that France has on yearly basis supported the Nigeria’s health sector as part of her collaboration towards assisting in the wellness of Nigerians. France in addition to the support of €3 million through the bilateral arrangement that include the NGOs contribute to healthcare in Nigeria and the rest of the world through the multilateral arrangement…

By Femi Ogbonnikan The newly commissioned six-kilometre Siun-Owode road by the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has once again reaffirmed the commitment to connect every part of Ogun State with a good network of road infrastructures. The completion of the project amidst the daunting economic challenges in the country further attests to the seriousness the administration attached to the development of road connectivity as a catalyst for industrial transformation. As it has been reiterated, time and again, one after the other, every part of Ogun State will have its fair share of infrastructure distribution assured by Prince Abiodun during…

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun said that Nigeria is on the verge of recovering from its economic challenges as a result of the corporate prayers offered by Nigerians during the Lent and Ramadan fasting. This, as the state government on Wednesday, 10 April, 2024, continued its palliative distribution to mark the Eid-el-fitri celebration. Governor Abiodun, who stated this while playing host to Muslim faithful at his Iperu residence in Ikenne Local Government Area, noted that the country’s challenges are surmountable but needed all hands to be on deck. He averred that the current policies and programmes of the President…

The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has approved the appointment of Mr. Kehinde Olufemi Onasanya as the new Head of the Service. According to a statement by the Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, Onasanya takes over from Mr. Kolawole Fagbohun, who has retired after a meritorious service. Until his appointment, Mr. Onasanya was the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Political Affairs and Administration. He joined the civil service as an Information Officer, GL. 08 on 2 December 1993 and rose through the ranks to a director on GL. 17. He was appointed Permanent Secretary on 2…

The member representing Mushin Federal Constituency I in the House of Representatives, Honourable Taofeek Adeyemi Alli has called on Nigerians to support the economy reforms programme of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, reports thegazellenews.com. According to him, after the initial hardship, the positive effects of the reforms have started to manifest. Honourable Alli spoke during the distribution of food palliatives to residents of his Constituency in Mushin. “I want to call on Nigerians to support the President in his efforts at bringing succour to majority of the people. “At the initial stage, the reforms may have brought hardship but now we’ve started…

My attention has been drawn to the threats issued by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which is ‘reprehensible and naive’. It is preposterous for a group of people seeking political relevance to overburden the system and create political disunity among Nigerians. The so-called NEF is more or less a political paperweight trying to embark on a destructive journey that will bring the North to disrepute for the group’s personal and selfish gains . In addition : “This NEF is more of a political burden to Northerners. The group is seeking to erode other people’s rights…

The family of the late Abimbola Ogunbanjo who died along with the former Chief Executive of Access Bank, his wife and son, has sued the company that provided helicopter service for the deceased, seeking a jury trial and payment for Ogunbanjo’s burial and funeral expenses, as well as other damages. According to Washington Post, the family of Ogunbanjo filed a lawsuit on Wednesday, 10 April, 2024, claiming the flight should have been grounded because of treacherous weather. Relatives of Abimbola Ogunbanjo, former Chair of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, alleged in the court filing that the charter company, Orbic Air LLC,…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Sigh of relief came the way of Ondo State Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Friday,12 April, 2024 when he became the first aspirant to be cleared by the All Progressives Congress (APC) screening committee ahead of the April 20 governorship primary. Aiyedatiwa has been embroiled in an alleged academic certificate forgery that has threatened his chances of clinching the party ticket in the past few weeks. Recal that a legal practitioner, Oladotun Hassan, had petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun and the Police Service Commission over an alleged move by a top-ranking officer to tamper with the…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Olubadan-In-Council, on Friday, 12 April, 2024 nominated Oba Owolabi Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland. Thegazellenews.com reports that the seat became vacant on Thursday, March 14, 2024, after the death of Oba Lekan Balogun, who reigned for two years and died at the age of 81. The kingmakers agreed to appoint Oba Olakulehin as the next Olubadan at a meeting called by Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Rashidi Ladoja, in Ibadan, Oyo State capital. He was nominated by the Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Gbadamosi Adebimpe. His name is expected to be sent to the state…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), in Goa, India disclosed that it has raided a drug syndicate allegedly run by a Nigerian identified as Stanley and his wife, Usha C. The Additional Director of NCB Goa, Amit Ghawate, who made this disclosure in a statement issued on Thursday, 11 April, 2024, said Stanley was arrested on Wednesday, 10 April, 2024 following a thorough investigation. He stated that, acting on reliable information, the NCB Goa team confiscated 7.35 grams of cocaine from Raju S, a resident of Saligao, on February 13, 2024. “During the initial investigation in the case, it…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike At least 188 terrorists were killed and 330 arrested during operations conducted across the northern parts of the country in the last one week. Also, a total of 133 kidnapped persons were rescued by troops deployed across the country within the period under review. The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, made this disclosure in a statement issued on Friday, 12 April, 2024. According to Buba, the recent achievements of the troops had placed them in a strong position to win the ongoing war against terrorists. The statement read, “The armed forces are working decisively…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike A Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) employee, Mr Monday Osazuwa, on Friday, 12 April, 2024 told an Ikeja Special Offences Court how the former apex bank governor, Godwin Emefiele, on different occasions, directed him to collect three million dollars cash in tranches. Osasuwa, while being led in evidence by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), said he was a dispatch rider in Zenith Bank in 2001 before he joined the CBN in 2014. Osasuwa, who said he joined the apex bank as a senior supervisor in 2014, added that Emefiele was…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike An Ikeja Special Offences Court Presided over by Justice Rahman Oshodi on Friday, 12 April, 2024 admitted the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Governor, Godwin Emefiele, to bail in the sum of N50 million. Emefiele is charged with abuse of office and fraud to the tune of $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion. Justice Oshodi, in his ruling, admitted Emefiele to bail with two sureties in like sum, just as he also held that the sureties must be gainfully employed and have three years of tax payment with the Lagos State Government. He also ordered that the sureties…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike A journalist working for Channels Television in Rivers State, Joshua Rogers, has been abducted by gunmen at his residence in Rumuosi, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the State. Rogers was kidnapped on the night of Thursday, 11 April, 2024 at about 9 pm after he was reportedly trailed to his residence after he closed from work. His attackers reportedly accosted him at gunpoint, whisking him away in his car. Rogers, who is the Government House correspondent for Channels Television, had on Thursday, 11 April, 2024 covered an event in Ndoni, Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni LGA of the state, where Governor Siminalayi Fubara…

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has signed into law the Executive Bill on Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority, urging residents of the state to cooperate with the state government so they can have an Oyo State of their dreams. The Bill was presented to the House of Assembly in order to bridge the gap in the enforcement of extant laws on traffic management, environmental sanitation and other issues, the governor noted. He explained that law enforcement had faced serious challenges due to lack of adequate cooperation between state and federal relevant law enforcement agencies. Signing the Bill passed…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike At least 35 houses were destroyed following a heavy rainstorm that rocked the Igbonna community in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State on Thursday, 11 April, 2024. This latest disaster is coming barely three days after over 1,000 people were rendered homeless following a rainstorm in Iyara community, headquarters of Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. The Head of Media and Publicity of the Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, confirmed the latest rainstorm incident to newsmen on Friday, 12 April, 2024. Adekunle disclosed that scores of residents were displaced by the incident following the devastating impact…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Damini Ogulu, aka Burna Boy, has added another accolade to his glittering music career as he made American magazine Essence’s list of the Sexiest Men Of The Moment. The list, which was headlined by British movie star, Damson Idris, was contained in the inaugural issue of Essence Sexiest Men Of The Moment magazine. “Beyond the obvious physical attributes, Burna Boy’s appeal lies in his distinctly African swag. His voice and presence command the stage, he has impeccable style, and is always perfectly groomed and iced out. Ladies love it!,” Rivea Ruff, Essence Entertainment Editor…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The duo of famous Nigerian singers, Rema and Asake, recently set new Afrobeats records. Asake won the 2024 GQ Global Creative Award becoming the first Afrobeats artist to win the award. The joyful singer shared a picture of the plaque via his Instagram story and tagged GQ. On the other side of the Atlantic, Rema’s ‘Calm Down’ is nominated for “Best Hit International” at the 2024 Swiss Music Awards. Calm Down became the first Nigerian/Afrobeats song to earn a Swiss Awards nomination.

By Abimbola Ogunnaike No fewer than 10 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes on the blockaded Gaza Strip on Thursday, 11 April, 2024 the second day of the Islamic holiday of Eid-el-Fitr, according to local medical sources. Türkiye’s newswire – Anadolu reports that fighter jets struck a marketplace in central Gaza City, leaving eight people dead and several others injured. Two others lost their lives in Israeli shelling of the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Casualties are also feared in an Israeli airstrike targeting a house next to Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City, witnesses said. Israeli warplanes…