Author: Khadijah Olowode

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Despite the directive by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar that fasting would continue today, Tuesday, 9 April, 2024, Sheikh Musa Lukwa, a Sokoto-based cleric, on Tuesday, 9 April, 2024, led his followers to observe Eid prayers. Recall that the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, had on Monday night, 8 April, 2024, declared that fasting would continue on Tuesday as the crescent moon could not be sighted. The Sultan declared Wednesday, 10 April, 2024, as the first of Shawwal and Eid day, which would commemorate…

By Dapo Okubanjo When the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) announced what has been described as a hike in electricity tariff, there was bedlam in the land even before many Nigerians understood what was happening. But a close look at the press statement issued by the regulators indeed showed that subsidy on electricity tariff is still largely intact. What NERC did in response to demands by electricity distribution companies (disCos) for a cost-reflective price regime amounts to a partial removal of subsidy. It only affects 15% of electricity users or about 1.5m consumers who, on paper, enjoy 20+ hours of…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said that hotels, schools, estate developers, supermarket and other establishments that accept payments in dollars from their customers are at risk of facing arrest. The Chairman, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, stated this in the agency’s publication called EFCC Alert on Monday, adding that action would be taken against individuals involved in the dollarisation of the economy. Olukoyede said charging local activities and customers in dollars is against Nigeria’s constitution. According to anti-sleaze boss, the exception is if foreigners come in to transact business and the only means of transacting is their…

As part of its ongoing commitment to eliminate hunger among vulnerable persons in the society, Abbey Mortgage Bank, a leading primary mortgage bank in Nigeria, has distributed over 400 food packs to Kuramo community in Victoria Island, Lagos State. The donation is an initiative under the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative tagged “Nourishing Communities” created to reach out to vulnerable persons and reduce the effect of hunger and poverty in the society. Speaking during the distribution of the food packs to Kuramo community that includes: Adetokunbo Ademola street; Olosa Street; Karimu Kotun Street; Oyin Jolayemi Street; and Oko Awo Street;…

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has pledged to support small-holder farmers to grow their operations and become training centers for youth, as part of its plan on advancing food security and promoting youth employment. Speaking during an inspection visit to some farms in Akwa Ibom State, the NDDC Executive Director of Projects, Sir Victor Antai, stressed the Commission’s commitment to leveraging on the agricultural potential of the Niger Delta region and promoting the shift from traditional to mechanised farming methods. The Executive Director, who was accompanied by the NDDC Director, Agriculture and Fisheries, Mrs. Winifred Madume and the Director…

Dufil Prima Foods Ltd, makers of Indomie Instant Noodles has once again reaffirmed its mission to help in easing the burden on vulnerable Nigerians as occasioned by the present economic challenge. The company restated this when it visited the Ajegunle area on Saturday April 6 for the second time in two weeks to distribute free meals and cartons of its popular product, Indomie Instant Noodles to the less privileged in that part of Ajeromi Ifelodun LGA, Lagos. The beneficiaries were mostly women, the elderly, and children. It would be recalled that the brand had earlier visited the area on March…

The Ford Foundation has made a commitment towards supporting the ongoing fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Nigeria The commitment was made on Monday by the visiting Vice President, International Programmes, Ford Foundation, Martin Abregu, at a roundtable organized by UN Women at UN House Abuja with stakeholders. Abregu said having listened to all the contributions of the stakeholders in the battle to end GBV in the country, the Ford Foundation is ready to collaborate and ensure its success. He noted that fight against gender based violence and discrimination are topmost on the agenda of Ford Foundation. At the roundtable…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Minister of State for Environment, Dr Iziaq Salako, has disclosed that plans are underway to engage no at least 10,000 youths and retirees in the planting of six million trees across the country to mitigate the negative effects of climate change. Salako, who made this disclosure during an interview with PUNCH Healthwise, explained that the programme is meant to create jobs for the unemployed and provide economic benefits to retired persons, while also addressing the pressing issue of environmental degradation. According to the minister, the tree planting programme would be carried out in phases, with a focus…

By Umar Ali Kime “The nourishment of the body is food, while the nourishment of the soul is feeding others” – Imam Ali Rahimullah. The Executive Governor of Yobe state, Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON, has repeatedly said “there is no joy in wealth until and unless, someone benefits from it”. This corroborates the maxim which says “life is good when you are happy, but much better when others are happy because of you.” There is no doubt that Gov. Buni has a special passion for making others happy, loved and dignified as clearly exemplified in his personal interactions, goodwills…

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has condemned the brutalisation of two officials of the Oyo State Road Transport Management Agency (OYRTMA) by Nigeria Immigration Service personnel in Ibadan. The Governor decried the inhumane treatment meted out to the OYRTMA officials for apprehending an officer of the Immigration Service for violation of traffic rules. Governor Makinde stated this on Monday, 8 April, 2024, when he paid visits to the two assaulted officials, Mr Nurudeen Abiola, resident at Binukonu Olunloyo Area and Mr Taiwo Adeagbo, resident at Oke-‘Badan area as well as the Nigeria Immigration Service, Oyo State Command. He described the…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Operatives of the Adamawa State Police Command have arrested a 33-year-old butcher, Ibrahim Abubakar, residing in Sabon Gari-Futy, Girei Local Government Area, for stabbing his 25-year-old wife, Hajara Sa’adu, to death. The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Nguroje, made this disclosure on the command’s X account on Tuesday, 9 April, 2024 The statement said, “The Adamawa State Police Command on April 8 2024, apprehended a 33-year-old man for stabbing to death his 25-year-old wife Hajara Sa’adu. “The suspect, Ibrahim Abubakar, a butcher and resident of Sabon Gari-Futy in Girei Local Government Area subdued the deceased,…

The Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, has commenced investigation of alleged illegal activities of eight suspected dealers in petroleum products without appropriate licences. The arrested suspects are: Pere Ebiye (Captain), Okon David (DeckMan) , Enuwa Wilson (Cook), Wesley Okon (DeckMan), Ade Ojo Idowu (Asst. Engineer), Oluwadamire Abraham (DeckMan), Oluwole Azuzu (Asst. Captain) and Taiwo Adebanwo (Chief Engineer) . They were arrested on Friday February 23, 2024, onboard a wooden boat, MV Jasmine, which was laden with 30, 000 (Thirty Thousand) litres of petroleum products suspected to be crude, bunkered in a cellophane- sealed compartment…

Yobe State Governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni has enjoined all to take the lessons of sacrifice, care and compassion exhibited during the fasting period beyond the Ramadan season. The Governor while congratulating Muslim faithful on the successful completion of the one month Ramadan fast, prayed to Almighty Allah (SWT) to accept every act of worship executed by the people during the holy month. Buni, in a statement on Tuesday, 9 April, 2024, by his spokesman, Mamman Mohammed, said: “As we celebrate the Eid-el-fitr, marking the end of the one month religious obligation, l enjoin us all to take the lessons…

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), have arrested a Delhi, India-bound passenger, Freeman Charles Ogbonna at the screening point of terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja Lagos for ingesting 80 wraps of cocaine. Ogbonna was arrested on Sunday, 31 March, 2024 while attempting to board his flight to Delhi, India via Doha on Qatar Airways, with a Liberian international passport, bearing the name: Carr Bismark. He was taken for body scan, which tested positive for ingestion of illicit drugs. Preliminary checks revealed his real identity as Freeman Charles Ogbonna and was subsequently placed under…

Lagos State Government on Sunday received Pelumi Nubi, a United Kingdom based Nigerian that embarked on a solo road trip from London, at the Nigeria/Benin Republic border at Seme, Badagry. Nubi, who crossed into Nigeria from Benin Republic through the Seme border in Lagos State at 10:10 a.m. on Sunday, 7 April, 2024, was received by top Lagos State Government officials led by the state Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka; and the Special Adviser on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Idris Aregbe. Pelumi Nubi, a travel content creator, began her solo trip from London, the United…

The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Diocese of Ekiti, on Saturday presented an Award of Excellence to Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his remarkable impact on peace and development in Ekiti state. The Prestigious Award for Peace and Development Efforts in Ekiti State was presented by the State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun, also a member of the Synod who was delegated to make the presentation on behalf of the diocese by the President of the Synod and Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Rt. Revd. Olusola Ajayi at the 20th Synod of Ekiti Anglican Diocese held at All Saints Anglican…

National Basketball Association (NBA) Africa recently celebrated the growing popularity of the game of basketball in Nigeria when the annual Homecoming Festival returned to Lagos over the Easter weekend. While showcasing the game’s broader appeal, NBA Africa’s activations included a fashion and culture pop up station at Alara and a free throw photo booth at Harbour Point, where fans had an opportunity to win NBA merchandise, customized basketball and sneakers, and a subscription to NBA League Pass. The highlight of the weekend was a basketball showcase at Landmark, which featured some of the best local basketball talent, and a 3-on-3 celebrity…

The immediate past Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic, Lagos State University, Nigeria, Professor Elias Olukorede WAHAB, has been named Guest Speaker at the 62nd International Conference of Lewis and Clark University, Portland Oregon USA. The event is slated for between Monday, 8 April 8, and Wednesday, 10 April, 2024 at the University Main Auditorium and will be preceded by the President Robin Holmes-Sullivan VIP dinner by 5.30pm at Smith Hall, Portland OR 97219, USA, after which the Guest Speaker will be escorted to the keynote Session on Monday, 8 April, 2024. The University described the choice of Prof Wahab as historic…

The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on e-GIS and Urban Development, Dr. Olajide Abiodun Babatunde has restated the commitment of the Lagos State Government to develop Kantagua ICT market to world class marketplace. The Special Adviser disclosed this during an inspection of the vast land area earmarked for the relocation of Ikeja computer village in the urban regeneration programme of the state government. Dr. Babatunde who was taken aback by the continued occupation and collection of illegal fees amounting to millions of naira from traders and shop owners currently occupying the Kantagowa market disclosed that contract with the…

Foreign companies from across West Africa have indicated interest in participating at this year’s Gateway International Trade Fair billed to take place between April 19 and April 29. Also, stakeholders in the food, beverages, health, agriculture and other manufacturing sectors, banks, as well as players in small and medium scales businesses have also indicated their interest in booking pavilions and spaces at the Trade Fair Complex. According to the organisers, companies like Leadway Assurance, Lafarge, International Breweries, Apples and Pears, Rite foods, Industrial Platform, Remo (Arise), GB foods, Bank of Industry (BOI), Gateway Mortgage Bank, Providus Bank, First Bank, Sterling…