Author: Khadijah Olowode

In line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) to optimise production from the nation’s oil and gas assets, the Company has announced the successful commencement of oil production from the Akpo West Field. The milestone, which is the result of meticulous planning, strategic collaboration, and unwavering dedication from all stakeholders involved in the project, will add 14,000 barrels per day condensate to the nation’s production. This will be followed up by the production of about 4million cubic meters of gas per day by 2028. The development of Akpo West which is…

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) has said that a total of 15 drug kingpins out of 3,412 offenders that were successfully prosecuted and convicted in 2023 bagged 168 years of imprisonment collectively. Marwa disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday while addressing commanders, officers and men of the agency during an awards and commendations ceremony. A total of 104 personnel and 13 commands were recognized and rewarded for their outstanding performances in the 2nd half of 2023 Marwa said: “Indeed, our performance as individuals and as a collective could always…

Nigerians in Diaspora have been assured that their pains in getting Nigerian passport would soon be a thing of the past as multi-faceted approach is underway to ensure seamless and efficient passport processing system. The Federal Government said it will roll out enhanced e-Passport facilities at selected Nigerian Embassies across the globe as a test run of introducing the system all over the world to position Nigeria as a leader in technological innovation within the African continent The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said the enhanced e-Passport, compliant with all International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, ensures international recognition…

Fresh facts have emerged about the alleged criminal activities of the General Overseer of Faith On The Rock Ministry International, Apostle Theophilus Oloche Ebonyi, recently arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Investigations showed that Ebonyi acquired a 23-room hotel, a pure water factory, two blocks of a Primary School and two bungalow office at Nyanya-Gwandara, New Karu, Abuja and a five-bedroom duplex at Karsana, Abuja with the proceeds of his fraudulent dealings with his subscribers. He also set up a live broadcast channel with studio equipment for his Theobarth Global Foundation with the funds of his subscribers.…

The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested 41 suspects and impounded 12 trucks for their alleged involvement in illegal mining and being in possession of different types of solid minerals without appropriate licences. They were arrested on Monday, February 5, 2024 at different locations in Share, Banni, Lade, Patigi and Okolowo in Kwara, and Igbeti and Ogbomosho in Oyo state. Their arrest followed credible intelligence over activities of illegal miners transporting truckloads of assorted minerals outside the state without requisite licences. The suspects are: Nura Lawan, Tunde Jimoh, Sani Umar, Oyeleke Sunkanmi, Adegboyega…

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has received the official report of the January 16, 2024 explosion at Adeyi Avenue, Bodija, Ibadan. The report, which comprises findings of the Medical, Security and Engineering Teams, was submitted to the governor on Tuesday, at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan. Addressing a press conference at the Briefing Room of the Governor’s Office shortly after the presentation of the report, the Special Adviser on Security to the Governor, COMPOL Fatai Owoseni (rtd), said that three persons of interest have been identified in connection with the cause of the unfortunate incident.…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has raised a Special Task Force in all its Zonal Commands for the enforcement of extant laws against currency mutilation and dollarization of the economy. The Task Force, inaugurated by the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Ola Olukoyede, was raised to protect the economy from abuses, leakages and distortions exposing it to instability and disruption. Already, the Commission has made some arrests of perpetrators of issuance of invoices in dollars and mutilation of the Naira in Lagos and Port Harcourt. Also, proprietors of private Universities and other institutions of higher learning charging fees…

Engineer Atinuke Wuraola Owolabi is the Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Association of Professional Women Engineers (APWEN). An active politician, she was a member of the Support Groups Directorate of the defunct All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APC PCC). She is very a popular and resourceful grassroots politician and very diligent in her Engineering profession. In this exclusive interview with the crew of thegazellenews.com, Engineer Owolabi spoke on her sojourn into politics, her role as APWEN Chairman in the state and other sundry issues. Q: Who really is Engineer Wuraola Atinuke Owolabi? A: Engr. Atinuke Wuraola Owolabi…

Nigerians in Diaspora have been assured that their pains in getting Nigerian passport would soon be a thing of the past as multi-faceted approach is underway to ensure seamless and efficient passport processing system. The Federal Government said it will roll out enhanced e-Passport facilities at selected Nigerian Embassies across the globe as a test run of introducing the system all over the world to position Nigeria as a leader in technological innovation within the African continent The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said, the enhanced e-Passport, compliant with all International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, ensures international recognition…

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has said that the state will be the first in the country to achieve energy sufficiency. The Governor, who stated that achieving energy sufficiency in Oyo State has always been a major focus of his government, expressed the readiness of the state to partner with the British American Tobacco (BAT), Ibadan Plant, to achieve this. Governor Makinde gave this indication on Tuesday, 6 February, 2024, when he attended the 20th Anniversary of the BAT Ibadan Plant, held at the company’s premises in Ibadan. The Governor commended the company for its immense contributions to Oyo State…

Trial continued, on Tuesday, 6 February, 2024, in the Charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/550/2022: FRN v. Ali Bello & Anor, before Justice J. K Omotosho at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division. The prosecution, led by Rotimi Oyedepo SAN, called another Witness, Rabiu Musa Tafada as PW3, a Bureau De Change operator in Abuja. He was examined in chief by Oyedepo SAN who tendered two record books through him. The Witness who testified through an Interpreter could, however, not conclude his evidence as the Prosecution sought an adjournment after the Witness denied knowing one Hudu Driver whose name was allegedly contained in…

Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has inaugurated the 9-member Oyo State Elders’ Council, calling on its members to provide his administration with robust suggestions and feedback from across the state. The Council, which has its members drawn from all the zones of the state, was inaugurated at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, on Tuesday, 6 February, 2024. The Elders’ Council has a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees and former Chief of Staff to Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, Dr. Saka Balogun, as chairman while a former Minister of Steel Development, Elder Wole Oyelese is…

The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, February 5, 2024, arraigned a 56-year-old car dealer, Rasaq Abolaji Mumini and one other for selling a forfeited property without due authorization and obtaining money under false pretence. Specifically, Mumini and one Mrs Lawal Olawande Mariam were arraigned on two- count charges before Justice Kamorudeen Olawoyin of the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ogbomosho, Oyo State. The defendants allegedly sold a property, which is under attachment by the EFCC without lawful authorization. The said property, which is a four-bedroom apartment, is situated at Dubere in…

Top officers of some intelligence services in the country have uncovered attempts by some “unscrupulous elements” to pitch Senators of Northern extraction in the 10th National Assembly, NASS, against the masses. The officers, who pleaded anonymity, told PRNigeria that the “mischievous persons’ ” hatchet job also aims to pit the nation’s security services against one another. They asserted while reacting to a newspaper report alleging that an influential Northern Senator is closely being watched by security agencies in the country for reportedly spearheading terrorism, banditry and Kidnapping. According to the report, the powerful lawmaker, who is also heading a sensitive…

The Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI) has described former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s recent interventions in the public space as grudge statements targeted at demonizing President Bola Tinubu’s policies through deceptive generalisations. It said in a policy document signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju that all the press statements issued by the former Presidential candidate in the last few days show an uncharacteristic poor understanding of issues by an individual who was once a Vice President. The group said it came to that conclusion after a careful analysis of Atiku’s recent public statements on President Tinubu’s policy deployments. “In…

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has released another N1 billion gratuity in fulfilment of his promise to cater to the welfare of pensioners. The Permanent Secretary, Bureau of State Pensions, Mr. Adesoji Adewuyi made this known in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, on Monday, 5 February, 2024. Adewuyi explaining that the money was released to cater for the state pensions which would be in two batches, with the first batch for pensioners in October 2014 list, as well as the outstanding of Basic, Rent and Transport (BRT) allowance for the month of March, 2013, while pensioners with urgent medical…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Gunmen invaded three communities in Entekpa Ward in Adoka District of Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State killing at least no fewer than 17 people, just as residents deserted the communities after the bloody attack. The affected communities, according to the locals, include Iwili, Umogidi and Opaha in Entekpa ward of Adoka district in Otukpo LGA. The Otukpo local government Chairman, Alfred Oketa Omakwu, who confirmed the development, said seven dead bodies had been recovered as of Tuesday afternoon, with the help of soldiers. Omakwu said the search for more bodies would continue when soldiers return.…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The African Football ruling body, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), has announced an Egyptian official, Amin Mohamed Omar, as referee for Wednesday, 7 February, 2024 semi-final clash between Super Eagles of Nigeria and Bafana Bafana of South Africa. Omar’s compatriots: Mahmoud Kamel Abouelregal and Ahmed Hossam Ibrahim will play the roles of Assistant Referee 1 and Assistant Referee 2 respectively, while Sudanese Mahmood Ali Ismail will serve as Fourth Official. Attia Essa Amsaaed from Libya will be the Reserve Assistant Referee, with Yacoub Ali Elmi from Djibouti as Match Commissioner and Aboubacar Doumbouya from Guinea as Referee Assessor.…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Officers of the Nigerian Police Force(NPF) have been arrested for allegedly abducting a businessman in Abuja and extorted N29.9m from him in January. The force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the arrest of the suspected cops on Tuesday, 6 February, 2024 through his X handle (@Princemoye1). According to Adejobi, the force had taken significant steps toward ensuring justice prevailed in the case. “We are making a headway on this matter, and justice will be served, as some suspects have been arrested. Hakuna matata,” he added. It was gathered that the businessman, name withheld, was abducted at one of his…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Lagos State Taskforce has confirmed the arrest no fewer than 51 persons suspected to be members of a highway gang known for harassing truck drivers along the Apapa/Oshodi and Lagos/Badagry Expressway. The operation, led by the Chairman of the Agency, CSP Shola Jejeloye, was carried out on Tuesday morning. Jubril Gawat, Senior Special Assistant on New Media to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, made this disclosure in a post on his official X handle on Tuesday, 6 February, 2024. According to Gawat, the operation which was led by the Chairman of the Agency, CSP Shola Jejeloye, was…