Author: Khadijah Olowode

President Bola Tinubu has signed the Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024, into law. The bill, which was passed by the House of Representatives on July 27, 2023, and the Senate on November 14, 2023, was sponsored by Honourable Babajimi Benson, who represents Ikorodu Federal Constituency of Lagos State. The Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024, seeks to address the development and environmental concerns of host communities, and sets aside five percent of the actual annual operating expenditures of power generating companies (GENCOs) from the preceding year for the development of their respective host communities. The Bill further provides that the funds…

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called on Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso who recently announced their withdrawal from the subregional bloc to have a rethink and follow the path of dialogue and reconciliation. The Chairman of the Mediation and Security Council at the Ministerial Level and Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar while insisting that the choice of the three countries would only hurt the people, when responding to questions at the end of the sub-region extra ordinary session of the Council. Tuggar regretted that the decision of the three Sahelian countries under military…

The Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), Prince Paul Ikonne, has urged other stakeholders to emulate the efforts of the Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, in reviving agriculture, which he said is in line with President Tinubu’s agricultural agenda for food security. Ikonne said, “I want to call on all other stakeholders to quickly key into this agricultural revolution of Mr. President by adopting the method of the Governor of Borno State, the method of unconditional land donation, and the method of total commitment.” He added, “This is the mission and mindset of the President,…

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has sealed off a total of 15 facilities in the Federal Capital Territory for various forms of environmental crimes, threatening to extend the clampdown across the 36 states of the country. Briefing newsmen after the exercise on Wednesday, 7 February, 2024, the Director General of NESREA, Professor Aliyu Jauro said the facilities were sealed for failing to abate their environmental infractions after series of compliance concern notices had been issued to them. He disclosed that the agency had followed due process in clamping down of the establishments, adding that, “before enforcement,…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Militia group terrorizing parts of Nazarawa State have killed no fewer than three soldiers and two members of a vigilante group in the state It was gathered that the incident occurred when the assailants ambushed the soldiers in the Katakpa community of Toto local government area of the state. Chairman of the LGA, Abdullahi Tashas, and the state lawmaker representing Ugya-Umaisha constituency, Ibrahim Saad, confirmed the sad development to AIT. According to them, the soldiers were on a peace mission to the troubled Katakpa area when they were unfortunately murdered. They explained that the soldiers were deployed…

The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has secured the conviction and sentencing of Abdulazeez Isah to three years imprisonment for parading himself as a staff of the EFCC. Abraham Adama and Uzoma Isaac Iwu were also jailed for fraud by Justices Darius Khobo and A. Isiaka of the Kaduna State High Court, sitting in Kaduna. While Justice Isiaka jailed Isah after pleading guilty to one-count charge bordering on impersonation, Justice Khobo handed Adama two years imprisonment for cheating by impersonating American movie star Sylvester Stallone on social media and three years to Iwu for cybercrimes. The charge against Isa reads: “That you Abdulazeez Isah sometime in…

President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, 8 February, 2024, performed the groundbreaking of the 3,112 housing-unit Renewed Hope City in Karsana, Abuja, and reiterated his administration’s resolve to provide decent and affordable housing for Nigerians. The project is a part of 20,000 housing units to be delivered in the Federal Capital Territory under a Public Private Partnership Arrangement being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and it represents the first practical expression of the administration’s desire to implement a New City Development Plan under the Renewed Hope Agenda. The President said under this plan, integrated living communities…

By Segun Dope I have known Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, CON, initialled JKF, for what now seems ages. I dare say that his leadership qualities are legion. So, it should not surprise anyone that despite all that has been said about him in the past, people cannot stop talking about those values he espouses in different tones and ways. For starters, Dr. Fayemi deserves all the accolades he has been getting in and outside of office as governor, minister, lecturer, activist and globally sought-for speaker. He reads, he writes, he talks and he walks his talk in a passionate manner. …

A media watch group in Nigeria has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) not to shield any individual or group involved financial crimes in the country. Muslim Media Watch Group, a non-governmental organization, says exposing them will help the country to get rid of corruption and economic problems bedeviling the country. The call came on the heels of recent revelations by the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede that some religious organisations were aiding and abetting corrupt practices and money laundering At a one-day dialogue with stakeholders in Abuja, the nation’s capital, Olukoyede…

A sociocultural organisation, Yoruba Welfare Group has urged Nigerians to stop politicising administrative policies and heating the polity by playing on primordial sentiments. The Group noted that at this critical time in Nigeria, all hands should be on deck to assist the government, saying instead of causing distractions, what is needed by the government is cooperation and understanding YWG President, Comrade Abdulhakeem Adegoke Alawuje, In a release made available to journalists on Monday, said it is better for the country to sustain the existing cordial but delicate relationship between the North and South rather than fanning the ember of hatred…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike A Sabo, Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos presided over by Adeola Olatubosun, has ordered that the Pastor of Kingdom Power International Christian Praying Center, Ishashi, Lagos, Azuka Ohez and his wife, Mary Ohez, be remanded for allegedly defrauding a lubricant company of N33.8 million. The couple are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and fraud. The Chief Magistrate, Olatubosun, who ordered that the couple be remanded in Ikoyi Correctional Centre until the perfection of their bails, granted them bail in the sum of N10 million each, with two responsible sureties each in like sum. She, however,…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been showered with praises by the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ekiti State, regarding the proactive role he played during the search and rescue of the kidnapped school children in the state recently. In a release issued by the party spokesperson, Segun Dipe, on behalf of the State Chairman, Barrister Paul Ayodele Omotoso, APC described Tinubu as a “constant and consistent President who does not just revel in being regarded as a president, but has soaked himself in the challenges and responsibilities of being one, even in times of serious crises.” “We are thanking Mr.…

Ethel was best known for her role as Segi in the sitcom, ‘Basi and Company’, which aired on NTA between 1986 and 1990 Nollywood actress Ethel Aderemi, nee Ekpe, has passed away. TheNiche learnt that the veteran thespian died of cancer in Lagos. Her demise was confirmed via a Facebook post on Wednesday night, 7 February, 2024, by the Director General of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Dr Shaibu Husseini. According to the DG, Ethel was best known for her role as Segi in the sitcom, Basi and Company, which aired on Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) between…

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, supervised the distribution of N100 million in cash and wrappers to vulnerable women and widows in Damasak, headquarters of Mobar Local Government Council, on Tuesday, 6 February, 2024. Over 20,000 women, including housewives, widows and those from internally displaced camps, benefited from the distribution. Each woman received N5,000 in cash and one wrapper. “In continuation of our efforts to support vulnerable communities and internally displaced persons in Damasak, headquarters of Mobar Local Government Area, we have distributed non-food items to over 20,000 vulnerable women, including housewives, widows and those from IDP camps,” Zulum said.…

By Abimbola ogunnaike A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, Justice Ambose Lewis-Allagoa has ordered the Bola Tinubu administration to fix the prices of goods and petroleum products within seven days. Justice Lewis-Allagoa granted the order sequel to an originating motion filed and argued by the applicant and human rights activist, Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate Nigeria (SAN). Granting the order, the judge said, “I have heard the applicant Femi Falana in a suit no FHC/L/CS/869/2023 and I have also discovered that despite the service of the originating motion on the respondents, namely Attorney-General of the Federation and the…

A former member of the House of Representatives who represented the Ika Federal Constituency in Delta State and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Cairo Ojougboh, is dead. According to sources, Ojuogboh died on Wednesday night, 7 February, 2024, while watching the AFCON 2023 semi-final match between Nigeria and South Africa. He reportedly collapsed as South Africa was awarded a penalty in the later stages of the game at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake. The game ended in a 4-2 penalty shootout victory in favour of Nigeria, propelling the Super Eagles to the final of the…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Rapheal Ebezpeke, Youth President of Polaku Community, Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, has hanged himself in community bush. The 40-year-old father of two, who was found dead hanging in the community bush on Monday, 5 February, 2024, was said to be battling with mental-related issues before he committed suicide. The deceased, it was gathered, allegedly killed himself after several warnings and attempts that he was going to kill himself because of unseen forces threatening to take his life. “Raphael usually talks about unseen forces trailing his life and trying to kill him. There was a time in January when…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Former Nigerian international, Godwin Izilein, who led the Super Falcons to win the 2004 WAFCON in Johannesburg, South Africa, has passed on at the age of 81 after battling with abdominal issues. Izilein, regarded as one of Nigeria’s most accomplished football coaches, died on Wednesday, 7 February, 2024 in Benin City, the Edo State capital. The Media Officer of Edo State-owned Bendel Insurance, Kehinde Osagiede confirmed the news. “He died today (Wednesday) after a brief illness. He was a former Insurance coach who gave everything to discovering and nurturing football talents, both male and female, in Nigeria.…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike An unidentified driver of a mini commercial bus “Korope”, on Wednesday, 7 February, 2024 allegedly slumped and died while on the wheel during an accident that occurred on the Olaiya overhead bridge in Osogbo, Osun State capital. An eyewitness, Mrs Funmi Adeyemo, told NAN that the bus veered off the road and collided with a vehicle parked on the roadside, resulting in the death of the driver, while some passengers sustained severe injuries. “One of the passengers attempted to take control of the bus before it collided with a Toyota Corolla car parked on the roadside,” she…