Author: Khadijah Olowode

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has restated that education is a very vital ingredient for nation-building, assuring that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will continue to accord it the prominence it deserves. Senator Tinubu disclosed this at the flag-off of the distribution of exercise books to public primary school pupils and junior secondary school students across the Nation. The exercise which is under the Education Programme of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) will give each state of the federation 50,000 exercise books while Kano and Lagos States will get 100,000 exercise books due to the…

Abimbola Ogunnaike Amid economic hardship, Nigeria’s food inflation increased to 37.92 per cent in February, up from 35.41 per cent in January 2024. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), disclosed this in its latest consumer price index and inflation report released on Friday, 15 March, 2024 The figure represents a 2.51 per cent month-on-month increase in food inflation. Nigeria’s food inflation increased to 37.92 per cent in February, up from 35.41 per cent in January 2024, amid economic hardship. The National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, disclosed this in its latest consumer price index and inflation report. The figure represents a…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Tin-Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs have intercepted a catche of arms and ammunition allegedly being smuggled into the country by some criminal gang. Among items intercepted are military camouflage and illicit drugs such as Colorado. The arms recovered include automatic single barrel rifles and pump action guns Though, details of the interception are still sketchy as at press time, sources said the arms were recovered during an inspection of consignments imported into the country. It is not clear as at press time if any arrest has been made. The interception is coming barely eight months…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Company Income Tax in Nigeria dropped by 35.40 per cent to N1.13 trillion in the fourth quarter of 2023 from N1.75 trillion recorded in Q3. The National Bureau of Statistics made this disclosure in its CIT data for Q4, which was published on Thursday, 15 March, 2024 on its website. The report showed that local payments received were N533.93 billion, while foreign CIT payments contributed N596.10 billion in Q4 2023. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply recorded the highest growth rate with 79.65 per cent, followed by construction with 57.86 per cent.…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The federal government earned a total of N2.33 trillion in revenue from Company Income Tax and Value Added Tax in the fourth quarter of 2023. The National Bureau of Statistics made this disclosure in its combined CIT and VAT data for Q4 2023, published on Thursday, 15 March, 2024 on its website. The figure represents a growth from the N2.024 trillion recorded in the third quarter of 2023. The report showed that CIT and VAT local payments stood at N1.163.93 trillion, and foreign payments hit N922.37 billion in the period under review. Manufacturing, Information and Communication, Finance…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The trio of Victoria John-Barile, Jennifer Osuji, and Ugochukwu Okere have been sentenced to 12 years imprisonment by a Magistrate Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for their involvement in the conspiracy, abduction, and trafficking of a one-year-and-ten-months-old child. However, the court acquitted Emmanuel Onyebuchi of all charges related to the conspiracy, abduction, and trafficking of the same child. In her judgment, Chief Magistrate Rita Oguguo emphasized that the prosecution successfully demonstrated that the convicted individuals conspired on April 14, 2020, in Umuojiohi community, Afara Clan, Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, to abduct and…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Edo State Zonal Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has disclosed that it arrested at least 64 suspected human traffickers and rescued 100 victims in Edo and Delta states in 2023. The Zonal Commander, Bar. Nduka Nwawene, who disclosed this during the presentation of starter packs to three survivors of human trafficking in the zone, on Friday, 5 March, 2024, said the agency also arrested 64 traffickers within the period. “We have rescued over 100 survivors in Edo and Delta state in 2023 and also arrested 64 traffickers within the…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike President Bola Tinubu has expressed his deep condolences to the people of Ibadan, Oyo State over the death of Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II. Recall that Balogun, who died on Thursday, March, 14, 2024 at the age of 81was on the throne for two years, having been presented the Staff of Office by the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on March 11, 2022. Tinubu, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngalale, on Friday, 15 March, 2024, said Olubadan was an exceptional king in the service of humanity. The…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Nigeria’s Super Falcons dropped two places in the first FIFA women’s rankings for 2024. The nine-time African champions dropped from 32nd to 34th position. Randy Waldrum’s tutored side, however, maintained the top position in Africa. The Super Falcons have only been in action twice this year perrenial rivals 1-0 in the reverse fixture. They will battle the Banyana Banyana of South Africa in the final qualifying round for the 2024 Olympic Games next month. South Africa, which occupies second position on the continent moved up one place in the world rankings to 51st. Morocco is third on…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike A suspected armed robber was burnt to death on Bazunu Street, entrance to Igbudu market, Warri, Delta State, on the night of Thursday, 14 March, 2024 by irate mob. It was gathered that the incident happened when a woman was robbed of her belongings on her way from the market around 9pm. The gang of three were said to have stormed the area in a commercial tricycle and stabbed the woman after dispossessing her of her belongings. However, her cry for help alerted passers-by, residents and other traders, who chased the robbers. One of them was caught…

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has sealed off 13 facilities in Abuja for falling foul of environmental law. Among the sealed facilities are Veritas Plastics, Almat Farms, Dayak Nigeria Limited, FIK Contracting Limited, Salis Ventilated Homes Ltd, Peachville Estate, Net Construction Nigeria Limited, Sazak Acre Bilogue, Coppa D’alberto Ltd, Efab Properties Ltd, Phinada Mill, and Skippers Electronics Speaking on the clampdown, the Director General of NESREA, Prof. Aliyu Jauro, said it was as part of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) mandate to ensure compliance as well as enforce compliance with extant Environmental…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Kogi State Government has denied that money was missing from the state treasury during the tenure of the immediate past governor of the state, Yaya Bello. The state government categorically told the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to come clean on its prosecution of Bello, insisting that the funds of the state are not missing. The state government, meanwhile, called on President Bola Tinubu to order a special probe into the commission’s activities in the state, maintaining that the state believes in transparency, accountability and probity in line with the trend from 2016. Recall that…

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has commiserated with the family and people of Ibadan over the passing of the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun. He said the late Oba Balogun’s service to the people of Ibadanland, Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole will remain his enduring legacy. Governor Sanwo-Olu in a condolence message issued by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, on Friday, described Oba Balogun’s death as a great loss to the people of Ibadan and the traditional institution in Oyo State. Sanwo-Olu also expressed his condolence to the Oyo State…

The Kogi State Government has once again told the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to come clean on the reason behind its unrelenting persecution and media trial of the immediate past Governor of the state, Yahaya Bello, saying that the world would be eager to know why the Commission is trying so hard to find what is not missing. The state government, for the umpteenth time, insisted that its funds were not missing, and called on the EFCC to desist from mentioning the name of Kogi State in its ongoing persecution, allegedly orchestrated by some political actors around the Presidency…

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, says the Commission will partner with medical experts to run its Regional Specialist Cardiovascular and Orthopedic Hospital in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, currently under construction. Speaking after inspecting the Niger Delta Regional Specialist Hospital, Ogbuku assured that the project would be completed and fitted with the best medical equipment before the end of the year. The Managing Director, who was accompanied by the Executive Director, Projects, Sir Victor Antai and other Directors of the Commission, explained that the health facility would also meet international standards, noting: “We…

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has opposed the motion asking for court to release the telephones of Professor Cyril Ndifon and Barrister Sunny Anyanwu to a purported National Computer Forensic Laboratory. Ndifon, a suspended Dean of Faculty of Law, University of Calabar and Barrister Anyanwu are being tried by ICPC before Justice James Omotosho at the Federal High Court, Abuja over an alleged sexual misconduct and attempt to perverse the cause of justice contrary to sections 8, 18 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and Section 182 of the…

Access Holdings Plc has announced the appointment and return of Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede as its non-executive chairman. Aig-Imoukhuede replaces Mr. Abubakar Jimoh, the erstwhile chairman of the HoldCo, who remains on the Board as an independent non-executive director. Access Holdings said that “this visionary and accomplished leader is bringing an outstanding record of accomplishments, wealth of expertise and leadership to guide the Group into a new era of success.” It added that “in response to the untimely passing of the immediate past Group chief executive officer of Access Holdings, Dr. Herbert Wigwe and following extensive consultations with key stakeholders, the…

The lead Lawyer of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has called on his colleagues to move past blackmail, lies, and backstabbing and focus on the task of getting their client out of prison. He also explained how he has survived five assassination attempts in the course of defending the IPOB leader. According to him, despite achieving significant milestone in securing the freedom of Kanu and other comrades in 2017 and 2018 respectively, both state and non-state actors have attempted to eliminate him through various inordinate means, part of which was the invasion of…

Top officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Presidency, including cabinet members in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, have been fingered as beneficiaries of the $6.2 million windfall allegedly shared with some Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) by former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele. The money was taken from the CBN vault in the name of mobilising international observers for the 2023 general elections “and allegedly shared with the top Officials of the State House, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and others. Economic Confidential gathered from high-level, authoritative sources…

Heirs Technologies, a leading digital transformation company, has announced the appointment of Obong Idiong as its Chief Executive Officer. Idiong brings considerable experience in the technology sector and a visionary approach to this role. Prior to joining Heirs Technologies, he served as the MD/CEO at Africa Prudential Plc, where he spearheaded the digital transformation of its registrar services and repositioned the company as an agile and technology-driven organisation. Idiong has held a series of senior management roles, including at the United Bank for Africa Plc and Heirs Holdings Limited. Heirs Technologies, a subsidiary of Heirs Holdings, delivers efficiency and scalability…