Author: Soffiyyah Olamide

The Chief Medical Director, CMD Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo has disclosed that the Federal Government is making concerted efforts to address the challenge of mass exodus of health practitioners from the country known as Japa syndrome. Prof Adeyemo, at a press conference to mark his one year in office, decried the exodus of doctors from the country for ‘greener pastures’ , assured that the government is committed to ensuring that medical practitioners are well motivated to stay in the country. “Basically when we talk about the reason people leave the country, you will mention poor…

By Bayo Onanuga Background: Nigeria needs $35 billion yearly, up till 2040, to cover its infrastructure expenditure. President Muhammadu Buhari, realising that the government could not meet this huge cost, established the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF), with National Sovereign Wealth Authority, playing a vital role. The PIDF helped in the realisation of critical projects, such as the Second Niger Bridge and the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. But the PIDF faced funding constraints, delays in project execution, leading to rising costs of materials, bureaucratic and institutional challenges. Enter the RHIDF These challenges are what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Eleven days after he was kidnapped, the Edo State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),Tony Aziegbemi has regained freedom from his abductors. Recall that the PDP Chairman was abducted by armed men on Friday, 15 March, 2024 at 11 pm at the entrance to his house after a meeting with the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki. The kidnappers had demanded for N500 million ransom to release their victim. Senator Odion Ugbesia confirmed the release of the state PDP chairman to newsmen, saying “Yes, I just spoke to him, it is true. To God be the glory.”…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The publisher of Kaduna-based Desert Herald Newspaper, Tukur Mamu, has written to the Attorney General of the Federation, demanding a retraction for labeling and designating him as a terrorist financier Mamu gave a seven-day ultimatum to the Attorney General to retract the statement to prevent litigation. This was contained in a letter dated March 25, 2024, written on his behalf by his lawyer, J.J. Usman (SAN), addressed to the AGF, which acknowledged copy was made available to newsmen in Kaduna on Tuesday, 26 March, 2024. Thegazellenews.com reports that the Federal Government unveiled the identity of 15 entities, including nine…

Renowned health expert and administrator, Dr Christopher Otabor, has been conferred with a fellowship award by the Institute of Corporate Administration, ICA. The award, which was formally conferred on him at the Institute’s 2024 Strategy and Kick-Off Conference, is in recognition of his outstanding dedication and commitment to health care services in the country. “This is in recognition and appreciation of your dedication and commitment beyond the call to duty, public spiritedness, upwardly mobile and visionary approach to administrative matters as an outstanding professional in the health sector. This offer qualifies you as a senior member of the Institute and…

The Rivers State Police Command has taken a giant step towards eradicating criminal activities in the state through the killing of Izuma David Odiereke, also known as Solution, a notorious cult leader operating in Owube Kingdom, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State. Odiereke, who has long been on the wanted list of the Police, met his end in a gun battle with law enforcement officers in a forest within the Local Government Area at approximately 4 am on Monday, 25 March, 2024. Addressing the press at the Ahoada Area Command, where Odiereke’s body was brought, the state Commissioner…

The United Nations has assured Nigeria of support in its ongoing war against drug abuse and drug trafficking. The assurance was given by the Deputy Secretary General of the UN, Mrs. Amina Mohammed when she paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Buba Marwa (Retd) at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)‘s headquarters in Abuja. She said the UN was ready to support NDLEA to succeed in its onerous task of curbing the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria. Mohammed, accompanied by the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria,…

The Minister of Innovation Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji has said the time has come for Nigeria to take her place among great nations on the globe. He said: “In today’s rapidly evolving world, the pace of technological advancements is not just fast; it is exponential. Nations that have recognized and harnessed the power of research, development, and innovation are leading the charge towards economic prosperity, societal well-being, and sustainable development. It is time for Nigeria to take its rightful place among these nations.” The Minister said this on Monday in Abuja during the opening of the National Research,…

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike has been advised to ensure that the guiding rule of appointment and career progression of Vehicle Inspection Officer are adhered to under his watch. A letter addressed to the Minister by one Ismaila Abdullahi and made available to journalists read: “The National Council on Establishment (NCE) at its 40th meeting held from 12th -16th March 2018, approved the creation of Vehicle Inspection Officer, Cadre Graded on SGL 08-17 for candidates possessing relevant university degree, vehicle officer/ vehicle inspection Superintendent Cadres Structured on SGL 6th – 14th the National Diploma / Higher National…

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) said it has uncovered a new ploy by some suspected human traffickers who are exploiting coordinated global brand trademarks and offering unrealistic oil and gas job offers to traffic unsuspecting youths and other classes of people to neighbouring West African countries for various forms of exploitation. The Director General of the agency, Prof Fatima Waziri-Azi, revealed this alarming trend at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja at the weekend while discussing emerging trends in human trafficking for the year 2024. She noted that in recent times, NAPTIP has redoubled its…

By Eseme Eyiboh President of Nigeria’s Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, CON has in faraway Geneva, Switzerland at the ongoing 148th Session of the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) took the bull by the horns when in an audacious display of depth and the Nigerian spirit called for action towards an enduring ceasefire and peace in Gaza. Akpabio was unequivocal in declaring that the time to end the carnage in Gaza is now and all hands must be on the deck. According to the President of the Senate, there is time for everything and the present circumstances demand all nations to rise…

The Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima @officialSKSM, has said the flag-off of the training on digitalization of workflow processes in the State House is a fulfilment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s promise to build an efficient workforce that is in tune with reality, leveraging technology. The training, the Vice President added, is a compelling testament to the President’s steadfast adherence to the principle of leading by example. Sen. Shettima was represented at the opening ceremony of the training programme for staff on the Digitalization of Workflow Processes in the State House by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President…

Justices J. Aikawa and Hawa’u Buhari of the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna, have convicted and sentenced three currency racketeers to different jail terms. The convicts are, Adamu Seidu Abdul, Musa Gideon and Justice Musa. They were jailed on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 19 and 20, 2024, after pleading guilty to one-count charge bordering on currency racketeering, following their arraignment by the Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The one- count charge against Justice reads: “that you, Justice Musa, sometime in February, 2024 in Kaduna within the Judicial Divison of this Honourable Court,did commit an act to wit: engaged yourself…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The US Navy has confirmed that a Nigerian-born Naval Officer, Michael Aregbesola, has died in the Red Sea after falling overboard while in operation. The US Navy on Saturday, 23 March, 2024 said Aregbosola assigned to the “Swamp Foxes” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74, was deployed with a detachment aboard Mason, which has been operating in the US 5th Fleet since November. In the statement provided on the Naval website, the Pentagon wrote, “The U.S. Navy on Saturday identified the Sailor lost overboard from USS Mason (DDG 87) while operating in the Red Sea, March…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Coach Randy Waldrum has revealed the list of 22 players he invited to represent the Nigerian women’s national team, the Super Falcons, in the upcoming Paris Olympics final qualifying fixture against South Africa. Among the 22 players called up are: captain Rasheedat Ajibade, Asisat Oshoala, and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, Soccernet.ng reports. Saudi Arabia-based defender, Ashley Plumptre, veteran Osinachi Ohale, and midfielder Deborah Abiodun, also made the list. Notable returns include 2019 World Cup standout Chidinma Okeke and forward Chiwendu Ihezuo. U-20 defender, Shukurat Oladipo, receives her maiden call-up. The Super Falcons are set to take on South…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The controversial Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, has been invited for questioning by Federal Government of Nigeria over his comments on the activities of bandits in the country. The Minister of Information and Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this while addressing journalists at the State House, Abuja, on Monday, 25 March, 2024 The Minister said the Islamic cleric was not “above the law”, adding that the government has deemed it necessary to invite him for questioning. Recall that few weeks ago, Gumi had called on the Tinubu-led government to join him in negotiating with bandits, urging him not to repeat what he…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Federal Government of Nigeria has stated that there is no hiding place for, a Director of Binance, Nadeem Anjarwalla, who escaped from custody and fled the country after he was detained by the Nigerian Government. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated this on Monday, 25 March, 2024 to State House correspondents after Monday’s Federal Executive Council meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The minister, who said the International Police (Interpol) were currently on Anjarwalla’s trail, added that since Binance is an international firm, there is no way the culprit will evade arrest. His…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Federal Government has arraigned a man, Chike Ibezim, before a Federal High Court in Abuja for allegedly defaming a former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola. Ibezim was arraigned on Monday, 25 March, 2024 on a six-count charge. Ibezim, along with two others, claimed that Fashola authored the judgment of the presidential election petition court in favour of the All Progressives Congress over the petitions by the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party. Count one of the charges reads, “That you Ibezim Chike Victor, male with Jackson Udeh, Nnamdi Emmanuel Ibezim and Reportera.ng (body…

.By Abimbola Ogunnaike A 20-year-old man, identified as Ojo, was on Monday, 25 March, 2025 arraigned before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ekiti State, over alleged house breaking and stealing. The suspect, who was arraigned before Chief Magistrate, Mrs Taiwo Ajibade, was allege d to have stolen some noodles, maggi seasonings, salt, onions, ‘fufu’ and a pot of soup all valued at N300,000 belonging to the complainant. It was gathered that the incident happened on Thursday, 14 March, 2024 at about 12 noon, at Falegan, Ilawe Road in Ado-Ekiti. The police prosecutor, Inspector Moyosola Adesola, stated that the offences contravened…