Author: Khadijah Olowode

A delegation from the Ogun State Government on Wednesday, 3 April, 2024, paid a condolence visit to the family of the former Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Vocational and Technical Education, Prof. Joseph Odemuyiwa, who died in a fatal accident on Tuesday. The delegation, led by the Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, who represented Governor Abiodun, included the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Tokunbo Talabi. Speaking at the Isara Remo home of the late Don, Governor Abiodun said the deceased was a team player and very dear to his administration. The Governor added that the late…

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has described the tragic death of Prof. Joseph Odemuyiwa, his former Special Adviser on Vocational and Technical Education, as a great loss to the state and the education sector. Prof. Odemuyiwa served as the governor’s aide during his first term in office. He reportedly died in an accident on Tuesday, while on his way to Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State capital, where he was a lecturer. Prince Abiodun, in a condolence message, described the passing of Prof. Odemuyiwa as tragic and sad, adding that his death is a great loss to the state,…

The Ogun State Government is to conduct household surveys to develop a framework that will assist in planning, management, and evaluation of the multi-dimensional poverty human development index. The survey is expected to go one step further than the NBS’ Multi-dimensional pverty index. The survey will allow the government of Prince Dapo Abiodun to assess the impact of the various policies it has been implementing in the last four and half years in such areas as education, health, job creation, empowerment and other social interventions. Already, a consultant, E-services Nigeria Limited, has been contracted by the state government to carry…

The United States Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria has named the Executive Director of Braveheart Initiative for Youth and Women (BHI), Ms. Priscilla Ikos Usiobaifo as its 2024 Woman of Courage. According to a statement from the embassy on Wednesday, 3 April, 2024, the March 27 award ceremony in Abuja recognized Ms. Usiobaifo’s two decades of unwavering contribution to reforming laws and dismantling socio-cultural norms perpetuating gender-based violence in Nigeria. In his remarks at the award ceremony, Art Brown, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, said preventing and responding to all forms of gender-based violence is a cornerstone of the United States…

The Apex body of Justice Forum in Alimoso Federal Constituency has congratulated the newly appointed state Coordinator of the group, Honourable James Abiodun Faleke on his new assignment, reports thegazellenews.com. The congratulatory message was contained in a statement signed on behalf of the other leaders of the group by the Apex Leader in the Federal Constituency and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire. “Your appointment aligns perfectly with your political and leadership prowess, and we have full confidence in your ability to not only steer the group in the right direction but also…

Zenith Bank Plc has emerged as the Best Bank in Nigeria in the Global Finance Best Banks Awards 2024, winning the award for the fourth time since 2019. The Bank was among other banks from 36 countries in Africa recognised as the prestigious Global Finance announced its 31st Annual Best Bank Awards Winners. The editors of Global Finance made the selections after extensive consultations with corporate financial executives, bankers and banking consultants, and analysts worldwide. Factors considered in selecting the top banks ranged from the quantitative objective to the informed subjective. Objective criteria considered included: growth in assets, profitability, geographic…

A fresh round of squabbles is currently rocking the board of First Bank of Nigeria, a development shareholders fear poses major threat to the bid by the first generation financial institution to strengthen its capital base in line with the recent directive of the Central Bank of Nigeria to all banks operating in the country to recapitalize. The current crisis rocking the bank stems from protests by shareholders who are kicking against the bank’s internal governance and shareholding structure, as a result of which some of them have taken their grievances to the court. One of such is the case…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved the increase of electricity tariff for customers under the Band A classification. NERC’s Vice Chairman, Musliu Oseni, made this disclosure at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, 3 April, 2024. According to him, the increase will see the customers pay N225 kilowatt per hour from the current N66. Oseni said that the customers under Band A are those who enjoy 20 hours of electricity supply daily, just as he also these customers represents 15 percent pf the 12 million electricity customers in the country. He added that the…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), has stated that Dangote Refinery’s commencement of domestic supply of Automotive Gas Oil (Diesel) will crash the pump price of the product. The National President of IPMAN, Abubakar Maigandi, stated this on Tuesday, 2 April, 2024 in a statement while confirming that the $20 billion worth Dangote Refinery had begun domestic diesel supply. He said the product is sold at N1,225 per litre by Dangote refinery, a decreased price from N1,700 per litre. “So some of our marketers have started getting the product, but as an association, we have yet…

Renowned ex-beauty queen, aviator and travel consultant, Christabel Ijeoma Iwuala, has been honored with the prestigious title of “Young Achiever of the Year” at the esteemed Nigeria Women Achievers Award 2024. The ceremony, held in Lagos on March 17th, 2024 also marked her induction into the esteemed ECOWAS Youth Council as ECOWAS YOUTH AMBASSADOR , further solidifying her status as a rising star in the industry. A top star aviator and renowned travel consultant, Christabel Ijeoma Iwuala has been making waves in the aviation and travel industry. Her outstanding contributions have earned her recognition as a member of the Institute…

As part of activities to mark the 2024 International Women’s Day, Unity Bank Plc and the Association of Nigerian Women Business Network, ANWBN, have partnered to reach out to over 90 women groups across Nigeria through the Yanga Account. At a forum held in Abuja, Unity Bank unveiled the Yanga account to the women’s group, providing opportunities for the members to benefit from the enhanced product packages targeted at women entrepreneurs with capacity building, MSME financing schemes, affordable health insurance and cash management. Speaking at the event themed: “Building Sustainable Entrepreneurial and Financial Skills for Women in Challenging Times,” the…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Amid Naira’s continued appreciation against the US dollar, the turnover at Nigeria’s foreign exchange market surged to the highest in a single day since 2017 on Tuesday, 2 April, 2024. Data from FMDQ showed that turnover FX transactions increased to $1.085 billion on Tuesday. This represents a 27 per cent increase from $857.78 million traded last Thursday. The development comes as the Naira appreciated against the dollar at the official and parallel foreign exchange markets. The Director of Research and Strategy at Lagos-based investment bank Chapel Hill Denham, Tajudeen Ibrahim, attributed the sustained gains in Naira at the forex…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Debt Management Office (DMO) has revealed plans to raise N1.8 trillion through new issuance and reopening of federal government bonds over the next three months amid the country’s increasing debt stocks. This is as DMO opened offer for the April 2024 Savings Bond. The debt office in the bond issuance calendar for the second quarter of 2024 said it plans to raise between N300 billion to N600 billion every month between April and June this year. According to the calendar, the DMO plans to open a new five-year bond this month to raise between N100 and…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike This indeed not the best of times for the embattled Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu as the seven-man panel set up by the Chief Judge of state, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, began sitting on Wednesday, 3 April, 2024 to investigate the allegation of misconduct leveled against him. The panel headed by retired Justice S. A. Omonuwa, was set up by Justice Okungbowa following the resolution by the state House of Assembly, which initiated the impeachment process against Shaibu. At the panel on Wednesday, the House of Assembly was represented by Mr Joe Ohiafi, Deputy Clerk, Legal, just as…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike No fewer than nine people were confirmed dead and more than 800 injured Wednesday, 3 April by a powerful earthquake in Taiwan that damaged dozens of buildings and prompted tsunami warnings that extended to Japan and the Philippines before being lifted. Officials said the quake was the strongest to shake the island in decades, and warned of more tremors in the days ahead. Traveling across Quang Binh to stunning cinematic locations The Director of Taipei’s Central Weather Administration’s Seismology CenterM Wu Chien-fu, said “The earthquake is close to land and it’s shallow. It’s felt all over Taiwan…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Nigeria Police Force has stated why it cannot effect the arrest crossdressers, including Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju, popularly known as Bobrisky. Recall that there have been calls for Bobrisky’s arrest, especially after he was controversially awarded Best Dressed Female at a Nollywood event. Socialites such as Portable and VeryDarkMan had called on the police to pick him up because of his moral stance which is at variance with the Constitution. Speaking with Channels TV on Tuesday, 2 April, 2024 Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer, said crossdressers cannot be arrested because it is dicey situation, adding that…

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Solomon Adeola, APC, Ogun West Senatorial District, has felicitated with the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland in Ogun State, His Royal Majesty Oba (Dr) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, CFR, on the celebration of his 64th Coronation Anniversary. The Senator in a congratulatory message stated that the Awujale remains a foremost model of royalty in the annals of Nigeria and indeed, African history of monarchies for his adherence and promotion of our tradition and culture as well as versatility in using monarchial authority to greatly influence socio-economic development of the people and the society.…

Transnational Corporation Plc, Nigeria’s leading listed conglomerate, announces its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2023. The Group achieved substantial growth in its financial indicators, reinforcing its market leadership and strategic positioning. In its audited results, Transcorp reported significant year-on-year growth, with revenue rising to N197 billion in the year 2023, from N134 billion in 2022, representing a 47.3% increase. The strong performance is further demonstration of the Group’s strategic focus and effective execution. Highlights of Transcorp group Results: FY 2023 Revenue was N197 billion, a significant increase of 47.3%, compared to 2022. Operating Expenses saw an increase…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike President Bola Tinubu has approved the Federal Capital Territory’s over N1.1 trillion statutory budget for the 2024 fiscal year. The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, made this disclosure on Tuesday, 2 April, 2024 during a media chat at his office in Abuja on Tuesday, 2 April, 2024. He expressed delight over the assent by the President explaining that the budget will impact on infrastructure development, healthcare facilities, as well as rehabilitation of schools in the FCT, amongst others. The development comes on the heels of the FCT appropriation bill passing the second reading at the Senate last month. A…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has confirmed that it uncovered 1,665 fake A-level results during the 2023 Direct Entry (DE) registration. This was contained in a weekly bulletin of the agency released on Tuesday, 2 April, 2024 where it said its registrar Ishaq Oloyede revealed the figure when he received the leadership of the National Association of Nigeria Colleges of Education Students (NANCES) in his office in Abuja. He said 397 of them were from colleges of education while 453 were university diplomas. The rest, the JAMB chief said, are for A’level certificates. The JAMB registrar…