Author: Soffiyyah Olamide

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The management of Lead British International School, Abuja, has shut down the institution over the bullying incident that went viral on social media. An X user, @mooyeeeeeee, posted two videos where the victim she identified as Maryam Hassan was repeatedly slapped by another female student. The video generated thousands of comments by netizens who called on the school authorities to investigate the matter. At a meeting on Tuesday, 23 April, 2024,the school authorities announced a 3-day closure to enable them probe deeply into the matter. A top member of staff said the decision to shut down the…

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, on Tuesday, 23 April, 2024 expressed the confidence that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will retain all positions in the April 27, 2024 Local Government Elections due to the unprecedented achievements of his administration across the state. Governor Makinde, who charged the people of the state to vote en masse for all PDP candidates, said the government at the grassroots will toe the line of his government in delivering sustainable development. The Governor stated this at Ode Oba, Iseyin, where he presented the flags to the PDP chairmanship candidates in Iseyin Federal Constituency, saying: “I…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and its Joint Venture partner in the Awoba Unit Field, Newcross Exploration and Production Ltd, have restarted production from the Awoba field which last contributed production to the Bonny Terminal in 2021. The Awoba Field was finally shut down in February 2022 due to evacuation issues and crude oil theft. Since the restart of the Awoba field by NNPC Ltd and it partners on April 13, 2024; production from the field has averaged 8,000 barrels per day and is expected to plateau at 12,000 per day at full ramp up within 30 days. Awoba is…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Operatives of the Jigawa State Police Command have arrested an 18-year-old boy, Safiyanu Lawan, for allegedly faking his own abduction in a bid to extort money from his father. The State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Lawan Shiisu Adam, who confirmed the development, said the incident happened on 19/04/2024 at about 1430hrs, when one Alhaji Lawan Dankoli of Kiyawa LGA reported at State Intelligence Department (SID) Dutse that on 17/04/2024, his son, Safiyanu Lawan went out for shopping in preparation for school resumption but has not returned back. He added that, later on the same date, at…

By Babafemi Ojudu I mourn the loss of a dear friend and fellow worshipper at Fela Anikulapo’s shrine, Mallam Abdul Okwechime. He was a brilliant journalist with a broad love for Nigeria and Africa. Abdul was always full of life, exuberant, and joyous. While many of us who were drawn to Fela in our early years eventually moved on to other pursuits, Abdul remained steadfast, continuing to worship after Fela’s demise at The New Shrine run by Femi and his siblings. Among our co-worshipers then were Kanmi Ishola Osobu, Beko Ransome-Kuti, Soji Omotunde, Chuzy Udenwa, actor Mofe Damijo, Dede Mabiaku,…

Kogi State House of Assembly has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to vacate the ‘wanted’ tag that it has placed on the name and picture of the immediate past Governor of the state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello. This forms part of the resolutions during the House plenary on Tuesday, 23 April, 2024, and follows a matter of urgent public importance that was presented on the floor of the House by the member representing Ajaokuta State Constituency in the house, Hon Jibrin Abu. In their resolutions, the lawmakers stated, “The EFCC, IGP, Immigration, NSA and other agencies conscripted into…

By Ganiu Bamgbose, PhD A starting point will be to felicitate our motherly scholar and scholarly mother, the Vice Chancellor of the Lagos State University, as she joins the league of sexagenarians on Tuesday, 23 April, 2024! The story of the 9th substantive Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University is one that can be beneficially recounted as a lesson for all and in celebration of her 60th birthday. In her Facebook post of 27th August 2011, the Vice Chancellor said “In every disappointment is a new appointment. Never give up”. Frankly, she was speaking to herself. These were the words…

Our attention has been drawn to a publication/press statement with the above title, issued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, 22nd April, 2024, and signed by Wilson Uwujaren, its Acting Director of Public Affairs. In the said statement, which the Commission carefully circulated widely as usual, Mr. Uwujaren, who we have to believe is not a lawyer, continues the EFCC’s ongoing unconscionable lies against the former Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Yahaya Bello, CON, by labelling him as a fugitive from justice in order to disingenuously justify their established and willful pattern of defying lawful…

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) swept the stage at the recently concluded Bonds, Loans and ESG Capital Markets Africa Awards 2024 ceremony, taking home six of the awards handed out at the event held in South Africa. Delivered on the sidelines of the conference on 6 March, 2024, the awards recognised Afreximbank’s outstanding achievements in financing, promoting and facilitating trade and for its broadening work to facilitate sustainable economic growth and development in Africa. Afreximbank was recognised with ‘Financial Institutions Bond Deal of the Year’ for acting as Joint Lead Manager on the debut USD 300 million senior Eurobond issuance…

In a courageous act, the family of a bride-to-be and a group of passengers thwarted a kidnapping attempt by killing a terrorist in Zamfara State. PRNigeria reports that the incident unfolded when the family of the bride-to-be and other travellers were ambushed by bandit terrorists along the Talata Mafara-Gusau highway. The bride’s family had embarked on a journey to purchase clothing and other wedding materials in Kano. However, their plans took a harrowing turn when armed bandits targeted them. An eyewitness who spoke to PRNigeria revealed that the response was spontaneous once the bandits had selected their victims. Despite one…

A 60-year-old Nigerian man, Malam Danjuma, popularly known as “Black”, his son, Ibrahim, 35, and one Aminu Gaye, also 35, have died in a pit toilet while trying to retrieve a cellphone. Saminu Abdullahi, Kano State Fire Service Public Relations Officer confirmed the incident on Sunday, 21 April, 2024. He said the service received an emergency call from Tsanyawa Fire Station at about 11:00 a.m. that four men had been trapped inside a pit toilet. According to him, Danjuma was trying to retrieve a cell phone that fell into the pit toilet, when he got trapped. Subsequently, his son entered…

By Pelumi Olajengbesi Olajengbesi The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) stands as a cornerstone in upholding the rule of law and combating economic and financial crimes in Nigeria. Its unwavering commitment to investigating and prosecuting offenders has earned it commendation, fostering transparency and accountability in governance, even though there cannot be an institution without a challenge. Despite facing institutional challenges, the EFCC’s track record of success has solidified its reputation as a formidable government agency, instilling a sense of propriety and caution among those in positions of political and economic influence. However, recent events have generated concerns about the…

Come Saturday, 27 April, 2024, all roads will lead to Adeyemi College Stadium in Ondo, the Ondo state capital, as Motherland Beckons and Destination Ondo, presents, the now popular Asun Carnival. Well packaged to provide a pleasant day for family outing, lovers fun-day and a fun-filled day for socialising, this year’s Asun Carnival is definitely set to live up to its regular biling. According to the organisers: “It is time to come and celebrate the indigenous Ondo goat meat delicacy! “We have taken much care in the planning of this year’s Asun Carnival. We are building on records of previous…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Presidency on Sunday, 20 April, 2024 disclosed that it was ready to launch about 2,700 CNG-powered buses and tricycles before May 29 when President Bola Tinubu turns one year in office. It said the Federal Government is set to deliver 100 conversion workshops and 60 refuelling sites spread across 18 states before the end of 2024. The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, revealed this in a statement he signed Sunday titled ‘Presidential CNG initiative set for rollout.’ “From the end of May, Nigeria will take some baby steps to join…

President Bola Tinubu will on Tuesday, 23 April, 2024, depart Abuja for the Kingdom of the Netherlands on an official visit. On the invitation of the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, President Tinubu will engage in high-level discussions with the Prime Minister, as well as hold separate meetings with His Royal Majesty, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Kingdom. The Queen is the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA). While in the Netherlands, the President will participate in the Nigerian-Dutch Business and Investment Forum that will bring together heads…

Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) on Monday, 22 April, 2024, opened bids for execution of the 2021 FG/UBEC/SUBEB school intervention project. The bid opening for the year 2021 school project comes following a successful completion of the 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 categories. Performing the bid opening in Ilorin, the Kwara State Deputy Governor, Mr Kayode Alabi, said the present administration gives special attention to payment of counterpart funds, thereby making Kwara eligible to access FG/UBEC funds to improve infrastructure in public basic schools. “Today is another milestone in the history of the state, as…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike President Bola Tinubu has called for the establishment of a regional counter-terrorism centre that will serve as a hub for intelligence sharing, operational coordination, and capacity building throughout Africa. The President made the call at the African High-level Meeting on Counter-Terrorism in Abuja on Monday, 22 April, 2024 He said Africa must take a comprehensive approach to combating terrorism, not only through might, but by addressing the root causes of the scourge, which include poverty, inequality, and social injustice. Tinubu emphasized that while seeking to address the root causes of terrorism, Africa must also attack the roots…

Governor of Oyo State, ‘Seyi Makinde, has reaffirmed his administration’s continued commitment to working with and supporting the judiciary and legislative arms. The Governor maintained that this would help the government to maintain a functional system, noting that his government has, in the last five years, had a cordial relationship with the judiciary. The Governor stated this while administering the Oath of Allegiance and Judicial Oath on the newly-appointed President of the Oyo State Customary Court of Appeal, Honourable Justice Tajudeen Mohammed Abdulganiyu. Speaking at the event held at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Agodi, Ibadan, the governor…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The membership drive of the All Progressives Congress(APC) Ebonyi State received a major boost as Some members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Labour Party, LP, have defected to the party Ndufu Alike ward in Ikwo Local Government Area of the state. Receiving the defectors at Ndufu Alike junction, the member representing Ikwo/Ezza-South Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Chinedu Ogah, commended their move into the ruling party. He appreciated the leaders of the party in the ward for their roles and commitment in the party. The lawmaker assured the defectors of inclusiveness and urged the people…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) has announced the final list of candidates for the forthcoming Edo State Governorship Election. This is even as the Commission said that the political parties are permitted to start campaign in public from Wednesday 24th April 2024. The campaigns will end at midnight on Thursday 19th September 2024. The National Commissioner & Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee of the commission Sam Olumekun, made this disclosure in statement issued on Monday, 22 April, 2024 . Olumekun disclosed that 17 political parties have fielded candidates for the election out of which 16 are male…