Author: Khadijah Olowode

Seventeen young Nigerian girls trafficked to Ghana have been rescued and repatriated back to the country while five traffickers were equally arrested. This latest rescue operation brought 130 girls repatriated back to Nigeria from Ghana alone since July 2024. According to a statement signed on Sunday by the Director, Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM). Abdur-Rahman Balogun, this was a sequel to the combined and coordinated efforts of the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police, Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Ghana, and the Nigerian High Commission in Accra. Speaking on these latest efforts, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO…

Former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Honourable (Dr) Oluyinka Ogundimu was among members honoured for their service to Agege Sports Club at the 10th anniversary of the Club, reports thegazellenews.com The 10th Anniversary cum Fund-raising event took place on Saturday, 26 October 2024 at the Johnson Agiri Hall, Oko Oba, Agege. According to the President of the Club, Stanley Adiele, Dr Ogundimu was honoured for being the biggest supporter of the club. “He’s always at our beck and call. He has been supporting us morally, physically, spiritually and most importantly, financially. There is no time we go to…

The board of Africa Movie Academy Awards, AMAA, have launched the second coffee table book to mark the 20th anniversary of the continental film awards ceremony. The launch of the second coffee table book drew major dignitaries and film practitioners in the country and beyond to the Marriott Hotel in Ikeja GRA, where the event was held. The event kicked off with an opening speech by the Chief Executive Officer of AMAA, Dr Raymond Anyiam-Osigwe, who described the AMAA coffee table book as an iconic book that has captured all the moments of AMAA in the last 20 years for…

The Audio Visual Rights Society of Nigeria (AVRS) has successfully held its 8th Annual General Meeting (AGM) at The Zone, Gbagada Expressway, Lagos. The event addressed key matters essential to the Company’s continued growth and sustainability. The AGM’s agenda focused on four critical issues: Approval of Financial Statements: The society’s audited financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2023, along with the auditor’s and directors’ reports, were presented and adopted. The external auditor, Olukayode Timehim & Co, provided the audit report, reflecting strong financial oversight. Review of Auditor Engagement: Members discussed the auditor’s position and authorised the Board to…

I join family, friends, associates and other well-wishers to rejoice with Chief (Mrs) Onikepo Akande on the celebration of her 80th Birthday anniversary.  Her life has been a testament to the grace, mercy and love of God. As a two-time minister in our dear Nation, economist, accountant and industrialist who served as the President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and honorary life Vice-President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, (NACCIMA) amongst others, her achievements are evidence of hard work, commitment and dedication. Her life is an example for every girl…

By Enejo Shaibu In every field, there’s a defining moment that either highlights an individual or draws attention to their work. For Olanipekun Olukoyede, head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), his agency’s clash with Yahaya Bello, the former Kogi State governor, brought him under the spotlight. Many, like me, after researching him, found that the controversy surrounding Bello was overshadowing much of the progress Olukoyede has been making since becoming in charge of the anti-graft agency last year. There was so much media attention on Bello that I believe many people did not know of the giant…

By Dare Adekanmbi The transmission of four bills that aim to overhaul Nigeria’s tax system to the National Assembly two weeks ago by President Bola Tinubu has sparked debates in the polity about the purpose of the bills. Some have expressed fears that the bills may encapsulate proposals calling for a raise in tax rates in a way that will further burden the citizens. Some Nigerians have received the news with mixed feelings, while others have chosen to wait for details before commenting on the development. There is no basis to entertain any fear about these bills. If anything, Nigerians…

The Federal Government is pressing ahead with critical tax reforms not just to boost tax revenue and efficiency but also to meet the requirements for a $750 million loan from the World Bank. This loan project is a part of the broader $2.25 billion approved by the World Bank for Nigeria on June 13, 2024, to bolster Nigeria’s economic stability and support its vulnerable populations. The other second part of the loan package was for the Nigeria Reforms for Economic Stabilisation to Enable Transformation, Development Policy Financing Programme project. For the second loan, The PUNCH earlier reported that the Federal…

By Temitope Ajayi A video of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s interview with News Central Television has been trending on social media platforms for the past week. In the interview, the former President, in a veiled reference to the current administration, said Nigeria has a President who came into office without a plan. Yet, the same ‘planless’ president is implementing a bold economic reform programme that Obasanjo initiated and abandoned mid-way. This intervention is essentially about a tale of two leaders and how they both handled fuel subsidy removal, a very touchy issue every president of Nigeria has avoided since 1973…

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, will lead other prominent Nigerians in the legal profession, media, and academics, in a discussion about how to salvage the image of the Nigerian judiciary at the 2024 Gavel International Annual Conference slated for 29 November 2024. The event, with the theme: “The Judiciary as the Last Hope of the Common Man: Media and Legal Perspectives” will see Fagbemi deliver the Keynote Address. The lecture is to be chaired by Mr. Gbenga Oyebode MFR, founder of Aluko & Oyebode Law Firm, one of Nigeria’s top law…

The organisers of the Lagos Women Run have named a former beauty queen, Ololade Ayelabola, as an Ambassador. This was done after a meeting between the officials of the LWR and Ayelabola in Lagos at the weekend.   Coordinator of the Lagos Women’s Run, Tayo Popoola, noted that the journey of Aiyelabola embodies perseverance and authentic passion for the fashion industry. Popoola added that Ayelabola is a woman whose progress can inspire other women to be strong and be among the best in all endeavours. She said: “Her participation in prestigious competitions like Miss Unique and Most Beautiful Campus Queen Nigeria…

MoMo PSB has announced the launch of its outbound and inbound remittance service which enables customers in Nigeria to send money seamlessly to 13 African countries, including Benin Republic, Cameroon, Congo Brazzaville, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gambia, Liberia, Malawi, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Togo, Uganda and Zambia, and receive money seamlessly from six African countries such as South Africa, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo and Mauritius; via it’s app and USSD channels. With this service, MoMo users can instantly send and receive funds, with the transaction value automatically converted to the recipient’s local currency. The sender incurs…

Sunday, 27 October 2024 will remain memorable in the annal of the political development of Ondo State. In what can be described as a very intentional and purposeful event, the progressive elements of the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the banner of The Mandate Movement (TMM) converged on the city of Akure, Ondo State to achieve dual-purpose activities geared towards consolidating the holds of the Progressives on the governance of the State while strengthening the structures within the political system. Thus, the Ondo state chapter of TMM officially berthed in the state on Sunday, 27 October 2024. The Mandate Movement…

By Akeem Busari Nigerian forward Tolulope Ojo has penned an emotional message to fans and management of top Egyptian side Pyramid FC, after he left the team to sign a two-year contract with another Egyptian side, El- Gouna FC. In his message, the former Flying Eagles star player said, “This marks the end of my journey with Pyramids Football Club. “I am incredibly grateful for the time I spent at this special club. At this point, I would like to express my appreciation to my teammates, the coaches and staff, and especially to you, the special supporters of Pyramids Football…

Super Falcons captain, Rasheedat Ajibade, through her foundation, Rasheedat Ajibade Foundation (RAF), is sponsoring 11 Lagos State coaches For the 3rd batch of the NIS/LSFA Coaching Certification Course. While she has paid for the training of the coaches, the Athletico Madrid of Spain star forward also pledge to continue to give back to the society. She enjoined the Lagos FA to always provide adequate information concerning its future programmes, to enable her foundation to be part of it. Responding to the philanthropic gesture of Ajibade, the Chairman of Lagos State Football Association, Hajji Gafar Liameed, expressed his gratitude to the…

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has signaled plans to support new research and development projects as part of its Technology Innovation and Incubation Strategy and the enduring commitment to catalyze innovation in the Nigerian oil and gas industry and linkage sectors. The new R&D projects will add to the 14 applied research projects NCDMB currently sponsors at various stages of technological readiness, one shining example being the Amal Technology, which manufactures gas leak detection devices and printed circuit board at Abuja. The Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe hinted this in the keynote address he delivered…

The Wife of the Chairman of Odiolowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area, Mrs Muheebah Kehinde Ajala has advised youths particularly females, to focus on their goals in life and work hard to achieve them. “You must have goals, you should be able to know what you want to achieve in your life, remain focused and work hard to achieve them,” Mrs Ajala said. She spoke during the celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child which took place at the council secretariat in Ilupeju on Friday, 25 October, 2024. Female pupils from selected public and private schools in the council…

The Guardian newspaper’s lead story of Friday, October 25, 2024 with the title: “Calls for military intervention: misery, harsh policies driving Nigerians to desperate choices,” openly incites unrest against President Bola Tinubu’s administration and advocates regime change under the guise of journalism. The inflammatory headline and content deviate from responsible reporting. The Guardian’s agenda is unmistakable from the cover illustration to the article. In attempting to create a balanced veneer, the author condemns military rule while fanning the flames of military intervention. This is evident in the introduction to the article where the newspaper wrote: “Nigerians were exhilarated with the…

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Honourable Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, on her election as the incoming Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. On Friday, 25 October, 2024, leaders of the 56 Commonwealth nations meeting in Apia, Samoa, elected Botchwey, a 61-year-old former lawmaker who has served as Ghana’s foreign minister for the last seven years, as the 7th Secretary-General. She is expected to assume office on April 1, 2025. Botchwey is the second African to be elected Secretary-General of the Commonwealth in its 75-year history, after Chief Emeka Anyaoku of Nigeria, who served in that…

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Samuel Ogbuku, has said the Commission will continue to leverage evolving technology to improve agricultural productivity in its mandate states. Speaking in New York, United States, at the opening session of the NDDC Food Security Innovation and Investment Summit, Ogbuku said the Commission was committed to creating an enabling environment for investors by streamlining processes and providing incentives for those who wish to invest in the agricultural sector. Ogbuku, who was represented by the NDDC Executive Director, Projects, Sir Victor Antai, explained that in seeking innovative solutions to address…