Author: Khadijah Olowode

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Police Special Intervention Squad (SIS) has rescued some undisclosed kidnapped victims shortly after it took over major routes in Ushafa, Bwari Area Council, used by bandits to transport their victims out of Abuja into neighboring states of Kaduna, Niger, Nasarawa, and Kogi. The victims were rescued by the FCT Police Command Anti-Kidnapping squad in a concerted effort with troops of the Nigerian Army, on the heels of the kidnappers that struck the Zuma 1 Area in the Bwari Area Council on Tuesday, 2 January, 2024. The police on Sunday, 21 January, 2024, confirmed that all…

The Ogun State Government has commenced a solar-powered street lights-up project across the state as part of measures to ensure the safety and security of the citizenry. The government’s move is coming on the heels of recent arrests of vandals stealing street light cables and other accessories along the Sagamu Interchange-Abeokuta Expressway by security agents, with one of the criminals nabbed for stealing a transformer. Disclosing this in a chat with newsmen in Abeokuta on Sunday, 21 January, 2024, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Energy Matters, Mr. Oluwafemi Omisanjo said persistent vandalism of government assets, especially the many…

Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun has described the election litigations in the state, which ended at the Supreme Court on Friday, 19 January, 2024, as unnecessary distractions. The Governor also promised to devote the remaining time three and half years of his administration to work for the welfare and wellbeing of the people of the state. Governor Abiodun stated this at a Thanksgiving Service to mark his victory, held at the St. James’ Anglican Church, Iperu, Ikenne Local Government Area. The governor said the period preceding the court judgement was a great distraction, which he has put behind. He…

Multiple sources said facilities at the school’s medical centre have been stretched due to the number of affected students. ByPremium Times  January 20, 2024 Reading Time: 2 mins read Hundreds of students of Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, have reportedly been hospitalised due to suspected food poisoning in the institution’s butteries. According to multiple sources who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES, the school’s medical centre has been overwhelmed due to the number of affected students. But the university is keeping mum over the matter as calls and messages to relevant officials were ignored and not replied to for many hours. Meanwhile,…

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has been applauded for its steadfast commitment to the growth of local content, particularly for the support it lends to the fabrication subsector of the Nigerian oil and gas industry. The leadership of Dorman Long Engineering Limited gave the commendation on Wednesday, 17 January, 2024, during a courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe at the Nigerian Content Tower, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. The Dorman Long Engineering team was led by the company’s chairman, Dr. Timi Austen-Peters and their mission was to announce plans to celebrate the…

Several Nigerian consumers and interested organisations appear eager to know President Bola Tinubu’s choice for the position of chief executive officer of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council (FCCPC). Babatunde Irukera, an accomplished lawyer whom many have credited with restructuring the consumer protection agency, was recently removed from the position by the President. A salient point to take note of in President Tinubu’s action statement is his recognition of the FCCPC as a critical institution and his “plans to restructure and reposition” it. The President also wishes that the agency protects “the rights of Nigerian consumers” while providing “a…

The Lagos and Ikeja branches of the Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA), have expressed their dismay about the decisions of some companies to appoint non-lawyers as their legal directors. The body said it had sent letters of cease and desist to six companies, notable among them Promasidor Limited and International Breweries Plc. The chairmen of both branches, Olabisi Makanjuola (Lagos branch), and Seyi Olawunmi, in their ‘Cease and Desist’ letters, deplored the actions of the affected companies and urged them to desist or face litigation. Both Promasidor and International Breweries are said to have appointed Polytechnic graduates as their legal directors.…

James Hope College (JHC) Lagos, a beacon of academic excellence, has once again demonstrated its commitment to fostering exceptional learning experiences, as reflected in the outstanding results of the recently released November Cambridge IGCSE Examinations. In the latest examination cycle, James Hope College has produced scholars who achieved an impressive 98% A* – A Grades and a remarkable 100% A* – B Grades across all 13 registered subjects. This stellar performance further solidifies the College’s reputation for consistently delivering top-tier academic results. This exceptional achievement comes on the heels of James Hope College receiving the High Achievement Award in Design…

TeamMasters has announced the launch of the much-anticipated 14th Edition of the Teammasters National Spelling Bee, which promises to be an electrifying showcase of linguistic prowess and a transformative experience for young minds. The countdown to this year’s edition has begun, and registration is now officially open to parents, guardians, and educators to register their children and students at their website for a chance to participate in this prestigious event. Children aged 5 to 16 years (Grade one (primary 1 only), Lower primary (primary 2 – 3), Upper primary (primary 4-6), Junior secondary (JSS 1 – 2) & Senior secondary…

The detention of a human rights activist, Comrade Bonny Okonkwo, who has been held by the Police in Anambra State for 16 days is now a subject of controversy at a Federal High Court in Awka. Consequently, the South Africa-based social critic has taken the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun and Oil merchant, Emeka Offor and five others to court over alleged unlawful arrest and detention. He therefore demanded N50 million fine from the police as compensation for his unlawful detention. He was said to have been arrested in his Oraifite Community in Anambra State and clamped into detention…

By Kayode Akinmade YESTERDAY, in a supremely well argued judgment, Nigeria’s apex court validated the election of Prince Dapo Abiodun as the governor of Nigeria’s Gateway State. Leading a five-member panel, Justice Tijjani Abubakar threw the appeal filed by Ladi Adebutu, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the March 18, 2023 in the state, into its natural habitat: the trash can. Immediately the news filtered through, joyous celebrations erupted across the state. The people had endured a lot of tribulation from shameless characters who turned electoral contest into robbery, then sought judicial validation through comedy, infecting…

A former Governor of Kogi State, Capt Idris Wada, on Saturday, 20 January, 2024, paid a courtesy visit to Governor Yahaya Bello, saying he could not but show his appreciation to the Governor for his notable achievements in the state, especially in the areas of security, healthcare, education and infrastructure. He said his visit was specifically aimed at commending Governor Bello for his sterling stewardship since he assumed office in 2016 and to convey his best wishes for his future endeavours. He also pledged his full support for the incoming administration in the state. The incumbent and his predecessor also…

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun said Nigeria needs more universities to tackle the problem of access to tertiary education in the country. The Governor also advocated an increase in the carrying capacity of existing institutions. The Governor made this known during the official opening ceremony of the Aletheia University, Ago-Iwoye, saying that the opening of the institution represents a dream of a society where education is not just a privilege, but a right for everyone. “Statistics show us that almost two million candidates apply for admission into our tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Out of this number, only about 800,000…

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun said that his administration will now keep its eyes on further development of the state, following his Supreme Court victory on Friday. The Governor said that all attempts to distract his administration have failed, noting that the Supreme Court victory marks an end to court shopping by his political adversaries. Prince Abiodun stated this in an interview with journalists at the Gateway International Airport, Iperu-Remo, on his arrival from Abuja. He called on the Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ladi Adebutu, and other political adversaries to get ready for their re-run…

By Audu Liberty Oseni Having seen the impacts of climate change on rural farmers and rural settlements, we appeal to climate researchers and environmental activists to raise their voices in pushing advocacy and campaigns for climate justice and resilience actions. The campaign is most fundamental because we have seen climate change becoming a major threat facing rural farmers in Nigeria. Addressing it will be a major milestone in curbing food security and eliminating hunger. Across rural communities in Nigeria especially the northern zone, we have seen how farmers are becoming vulnerable to climate change. Farmers in Gombe, Yobe, Sokoto, Jigawa,…

By Bayo Onanuga The Nigerian economy is looking good in some sectors. This is not a harebrained assessment, despite the high inflation and the unstable exchange rate of the Naira. Those who doubt this don’t need to look far, for a reality check. The economic boom is happening at the Nigerian Exchange, where stockholders are not only recording unprecedented capital gains, but are poised to earn equally unprecedented dividends on their investments. The prosperity promised by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the campaign is becoming a reality, for millions of Nigerian investors, among whom will be the 6.6 million Nigerian…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for an equitable access to capital for developing countries, saying such will provide the much-needed resources for development, thus solving some of the most pressing challenges in the world today. Speaking at the 19th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement at the weekend in Kampala, Uganda, the Nigerian leader, however, pointed out that the developing world is not looking for sympathy or begging, but fair and equal opportunity. Chaired by Ugandan President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, this year’s summit was attended by many presidents and heads of government. The Non-Aligned…

“We are here to deliberate on mainly the issue of security around Nigeria’s natural resources, as directed by the president. The president set up this committee. Solid minerals, marine economy, and forests all constitute Nigeria’s natural resources. So, all the relevant ministers are here to deliberate on how to efficiently and effectively curtail all the atrocious, nefarious activities of either illegal mining, deforestation, or pilfering in the marine economy”. With these words, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake threw light on the outcome of the maiden meeting of the Inter-ministerial committee on securing Nigeria’s natural resources set…

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) have opened talks on three crucial areas the two agencies could explore to mitigate financial tax frauds and other corrupt vices. At a courtesy visit held on Thursday, 18 January, 2024, at the FIRS Headquarters in Abuja, the ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN stressed the need for effective collaboration to deepen mutual cooperation and synergize efforts for greater impact in the anti-corruption drive. In his address, the ICPC Chairman stated that the essence of the courtesy visit to FIRS was hinged…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun state has applauded the judgment of the Supreme Court, describing it as a long awaited judgment. The part said that the judgment “served the course of justice and sounded the death knell on the vaunting and forlorn serial governorship ambition of Ladi Adebutu.” A statement issued in Abuja by the Publicity Secretary of APC in Ogun State, Tunde Oladunjoye, quoted the party Chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi congratulating Governor Dapo Abiodun and his deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele “on the landmark judgment by the apex court.” The statement reads in part: “We salute the incorruptible…