Author: Soffiyyah Olamide

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The House of Representatives Committee on Anti-Malaria, HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis on Tuesday, 19 March, 2024 summoned the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Mohammed Pate, and the Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, to appear before it within the next 72 hours over allegations of misuse of $300 million meant to tackle malaria since 2021. This is just as the committee threatened to order the arrest of the permanent secretary, Kachallom Daju, if she fails to honour the summons, having failed to appear before it after three invitations. The duo are also expected to answer questions on allegations of…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Tragedy has hit Nollywood again as producer, Ikechukwu Nnadi, popularly known as Andy Best, is reportedly dead. Nnadi, who was said to be battling with a prolonged ailment, was confirmed dead at a private clinic in Owerri, the Imo State capital, on Tuesday, 19 March, 2024 Confirming the death of the movie producer, the convener of the Best of Nollywood awards, Mr Seun Oloketuyi, wrote in an Instagram post that Nnadi is late. “Andy Best, a top Nollywood producer and marketer, is dead. He died in an Owerri hospital today,” he wrote. Until his death, he was…

Authorities of the Nigeria Police Force have commenced investigation to unravel the whereabouts of the Editor of FirstNews, Segun Olatunji, who was abducted from his Lagos home on Friday, 15 March, 2024. Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi disclosed this on Tuesday, 19 March, 2024, in Abuja while responding to inquiry on what the police is doing to secure the release of the vetetan journalist. The Force PRO said they will reach out to the military (army) to first ascertain if he is in their custody since there are wide speculation in the media suggesting that he was arrested by…

Operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Tuesday, 19 March, 2024, rescued three seriously injured accident victims at Anthony Service Lane inward Town Planning Way, Lagos. The Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Mr. Adebayo Taofiq confirmed that the three rescued accident victims were passengers inside one of the Volkswagen Commercial bus involved in the accident. Preliminary investigations revealed that a Volvo 6-tyre truck (T-17138LA) while on a high speed lost control as a result of a brake failure and rammed into a Nissan Car (LSD 497 EY) and 2 Volkswagen commercial buses (EKY 129 XT…

The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, March 18, 2024, secured the conviction and sentencing of one Iliyasu Garba and Joseph Ude before Justice K.O. Ogundare of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos for offences bordering on counterfeiting and possession of counterfeit currency. They were arraigned alongside one Benjamin Opara on a five-count charge bordering on counterfeiting and possession of counterfeit currency. One of the counts reads: “That you, Benjamin Opara, Iliyasu Garba and Joseph Ude on or about the 10th November, 2023 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of the Federal…

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Coalition for Dialogue on Africa (CoDA) are to strengthen their cooperation agreement towards tackling the Illicit Financial Flows and providing support for the Common African Position on Asset Recovery (CAPAR). The Chairman of the ICPC, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, made this known on Tuesday, 19 March, 2024 during the visit of the Executive Director of CoDA and Head of the Secretariat of the African Union High-Level Panel on Illicit Financial Flows, Mrs. Souad Aden-Osman, to his office. The ICPC Chairman said, “The Commission will continue to work…

 By Abimbola Ogunnaike Theleader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has stated that there is a conspiracy for him to die in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS). Kanu stated this on Tuesday, 19 March, 2024 Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court Abuja, on Tuesday, after he was denied bail by the court. Kanu also denied that he is behind the violence in the southeastern part of the country just as he vowed that those behind the violence, in the name of being IPOB members, would not be spared. The IPOB leader,…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Army Troops from Combat Team 3 stationed in Maraban Maigora, Katsina State, on Monday,18 March, 2024 rescued 10 women and 6 minors who had been held captive by bandits since 3rd February, 2024. A source from the military disclosed that the victims were rescued during a routine patrol at the Rimi community after being held by the hoodlums for 46 days. The rescued victims were among the 54 women abducted along the Gamji-Dandume road in early February 2024.Following their rescue on Monday, the women and children were handed over to the Chairman of Sabuwa LGA, who in…

A media, PR and art enthusiast, Mr Olakunle Aderinokun has been appointed the Head, of Media and Public Relations at Access Corporation. Olakunle announced the appointment on his LinkedIn handle, saying “I’m pleased to share that I’ve resumed a new position as Head, Media and Public Relations at Access Corporation.” Olakunle was the Editor at Arise News Channel where he was responsible for selecting, cutting, and putting together video footage and turning it into a cohesive sequence that tells the story as the director intended. Kunle is a detail-oriented journalist who has shown balance in his creativity and results. He…

Nigeria is set to host the inaugural Africa Young Diplomats and Changemakers Conference on the continent. The country intention was made known after the successful participation of Nigerian delegate at the Best Diplomat Conference held in Turkey between March 1-4, 2024 The Best Diplomat Conference brought together young leaders and professionals from around the world to discuss pressing global issues through diplomatic relations and simulations. A delegation of young Nigerians played a pivotal role in the conference’s success. Speaking on the conference, Diplomat Valentina Ofi Amiebi-Uchegbu, a member of the Nigerian delegation, said: “Our participation alongside delegates from various African…

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has approved N1 billion for the training of basic-level teachers across the 27 local government areas of the state. Zulum announced the approval on Tuesday while inaugurating the newly appointed local government education secretaries who will administer the affairs of primary education in their respective local government areas. The Governor noted that over 1,000 teachers who have O-Level certificates as their highest qualification will undergo additional training that would allow them to attain minimum teaching qualifications. The training, according to Zulum, would cover teachers who do not have teaching qualifications but were found to…

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake has affirmed the resolve of the federal government to foreclose the acquisition of mining licenses by prospective investors without requisite plans for local value addition. Speaking while playing host to members of the House Committee on Solid Minerals on oversight visit to the ministry, Alake applauded the lawmakers for their support in repositioning the mining sector, stressing that changing the economic fortunes of Nigeria is a joint task by both the executive and legislature. He also seized the occasion to assure the legislators of the significant contribution of sub-nationals to mining…

By Niyi Akinsiju We have observed with dismay the seeming congenital amplification of the numbers of companies that had shut down operations in Nigeria or relocated out of the country by corporate sector advocacy groups and the opposition. This is noticeably done with derision as they make to cast the country in the frame of a hostile business environment with low scores on business enablement. By our estimation, the corporate advocacy groups do this as a strategy to compel the government to take a course of policy action or to reverse itself on a policy position. For the politicians, the…

Zenith Bank Plc has announced the appointment of Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji, OON, as Group Managing Director/Chief Executive with effect from June 1, 2024, subject to approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). She takes over from Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, whose five-year term expires on May 31, 2024, after a very successful tenure. Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji is the first female GMD/CEO since the inception of the bank, and her appointment is consistent with the bank’s executive transition tradition, succession plan, and strategy of grooming leaders from within. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Umeoji has been the Deputy Managing…

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has flagged off the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), a six-year $500 million food security programme supported by the World Bank and the Federal Government. Both the Federal Government and World Bank commended the Governor for providing quality leadership and platforms for livestock value chain production and commercialisation in the state. The administration has invested in the development of the livestock sector to maximise its potential, particularly in beef and dairy production, the Governor said at the flag off late Monday. “Kwara has a comparative advantage in all areas of livestock production, particularly…

The Muslim Ladies Circle (MLC) has postponed the official launch of the N8.6 billion appeal fund for Crescent Schools earlier slated for Sunday, 24 March, 2024 in Lagos. The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima is expected to chair the event at a date to be announced soonest. His Royal Highness, Khalifah Muhammadu Sanusi II, the 14th Emir of Kano, remains the Keynote Speaker at the launch. Meanwhile, prospective donors who might be keen on making their donations in the holy month of Ramadan in order to attract special rewards from Allah are encouraged to do so. The fund raising is…

Governing Council of Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State, has announced the appointment of Professor Oyesoji Aremu of University of Ibadan as the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic). In a letter of appointment signed by the Registrar and Secretary to Council, Rev. Cannon S. B. Oladimeji, Prof. Oyesoji is expected to resume on April 2, 2024. Aremu is of the Department of Counselling and Human Development Studies of the premier university. He is a popular security scholar and analyst. The professor has held many academic leadership roles. He won the prestigious Commonwealth Fellowship as a Lecturer Grade I between 2007 and 2008…

As Nigeria grapples with staggering inflation rates, reaching a distressing 31.7%, Nigerian Association of Social and Resourceful Editors, NASRE, stress that Lagos State emerges as a beacon of hope with its innovative approach to tackle the dire economic situation. In response to the escalating cost of living, Lagos has pioneered the “Ounje Eko” food markets initiative, offering discounted prices on essential commodities across the state. This groundbreaking initiative, spearheaded by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, not only alleviates the financial burden on its residents but also sets a precedent for nationwide adoption amidst the prevailing economic turmoil. The latest Consumer Price Index…

The N5 billion Ogun State Intervention Palliative meant to cushion the impact of the current economic challenges in the country is having direct impacts on the people of the Gateway State. This was stated on Monday, 18 March, 2024, by the Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Media and Information, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, while speaking on an OGTV Current Affairs Program, The RoundTable. He said that through targeted interventions, the government aims to address the current economic challenges by implementing a series of phased initiatives aimed at alleviating these burdens. Governor Abiodun had recently announced N5 billion intervention funds…

An Abuja based private hospital, Alliance Hospital and Service Ltd and four of its staff have been arraigned National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) on an 11-count charge bordering on alleged involvement in organ harvesting They were all charged in contravention of Section 20 (3), of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition), Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015. Reading their charge at their arraignment on Monday, 18 March, 2024, Justice Keziah Ogbonnaya of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, said that between February and May of 2023, the accused allegedly played a part in the harvesting…