Author: Soffiyyah Olamide

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has condemned in strong terms the killing of 16 soldiers (officers and men) and some civilians on Thursday, March 14, 2024. The killings were allegedly carried out by youths from Okuama community in Ugheli South local government area of Delta State while soldiers were on a peace mission to the community. The Commission, in a statement on Monday, rejected the practice whereby aggrieved individuals and groups take laws into their hands attacking and killing law enforcement agents, insisting that such behaviors occasion human rights violations and distrust. It said: “To this extent, it specifically…

The new Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Office, Dr Dennis Otuaro, has resumed duty at the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja. The Technical Assistant to the former Interim Administrator, Mr Ita Henshaw, handed over the notes to the Otuaro in a brief ceremony in Abuja on Monday, 18 March, 2024. In his speech, Otuaro said that he will not betray the trust reposed in him by the President and the National Security Adviser. He said his mission in the Presidential Amnesty Office is to render quality service to the Niger region and the nation, stressing that there would be no room…

The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Monday, March 18, 2024 presented its second witness in the alleged £1 million fraud involving Morufu Adewale (aka Gbegulerin Adelana), Omitogun Ajayi, Ajisegiri Abiodun, Abayomi Alaka (aka Dauda Usman Alashe), Taiwo Ahmed, Raufu Raheem, and Sanlabiu Teslim, before Justice R.A. Oshodi of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos. The defendants were re-arraigned before Justice Oshodi in December 2022 on three counts following the reassignment of the case file from Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo, before whom they were first arraigned on February 3, 2022. Count one reads:…

A Prosecution Witness, PW6, in the ongoing trial of the Head of Stakeholders Unit of the Federal Inland Revenue Services, FIRS, Emmanuella Eteta Ita, on Monday, March 18, 2024, told Justice Giwa Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court in Abuja, how Ita siphoned and diverted large sums of money meant for Stakeholders’ assignments to her private school, Surestart School Ltd. Ita ran Surestart School Ltd while serving as the Head of Stakeholders Unit of the Federal Inland Revenue Services, FIRS. The witness, Ijeoma Maltida, while giving her testimony during a cross-examination by defense counsel, Paul Erokoro, revealed that the first…

President Bola Tinubu has said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is on the path to victory in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Edo State. President Tinubu expressed the optimism on Monday, 18 March, 2024, in Abuja during the presentation of the party’s flag to the Edo gubernatorial candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and his running mate, Honourable Dennis Idahosa. Addressing a gathering of party stalwarts led by the National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, at the State House, the President pledged that the party would stand with the candidates ”like the wall of Gibraltar.” ”If you are happy;…

Heirs Holdings has launched its first-ever television commercial. The newly released television commercial (TVC) showcases the company’s diverse portfolio, spanning the power, energy, financial services, hospitality, real estate, healthcare and technology sectors while highlighting its commitment to driving positive change and sustainable development across Africa and beyond. With its compelling narrative, the commercial is captivating audiences worldwide, shining a spotlight on Heirs Holdings’ vision, and commitment to improving lives and transforming the continent. Link to the HH’s TVC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1G4MzBO7SU In 2010, Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, founded Heirs Holdings after making significant strides in reshaping Nigeria’s banking industry. Elumelu made history…

By Ibrahim A. Jagaba Continuing from where he stopped last week, Chairman of the Lagos State Arewa Community (LASACOM), Honorable Ahmed Kabiru Abdullahi, in collaboration with Lagos State Council of Arewa Chiefs, on Sunday, 17 March, 2024, organized a special prayer for Nigeria’s President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria and Lagos State. The event, which was initiated and held under the chairmanship of the LASACOM leader, took place at the popular Arewa House, located on Capitol road, Agege, with members of the two organizing bodies, including numerous Serikis, market leaders, elder statesmen and numerous other stakeholders from across the length…

By Prince Ade Omole Nigeria’s journey, while marked by challenges, is one of resilience, reform, and renewal. The narrative portrayed in the recent Financial Times editorial overlooks the strides made and the hopeful trajectory set forth by the current administration. Contrasting the erroneous portrayal of Nigeria as a “failing state” in the Financial Times article dated March 13th, 2024, the country is experiencing a pivotal economic and social reform period. These reforms tackle deep-rooted challenges and establish a foundation for lasting prosperity. While the administration recognises the issues outlined, including security and economic difficulties, it’s essential to highlight the nation’s…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Several houses in Okuoma community, in the Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, were on fire hours after 16 soldiers on a peacekeeping mission were killed. Thegazellenews.com reports that the Director of Information at the Defence Headquarters, Tukur Gusau, in a statement on Saturday, 16 March, 2024, said the military personnel comprising a lieutenant colonel, two majors, one captain, and 12 soldiers were killed by youths on Thursday. “The troops of 181 Amphibious Battalion, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, while on a peace mission to Okuoma community in BOMADI LGA of Delta State were…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Operatives of the Lagos Police Command have arrested a crane operator after a passerby was killed when an electric cable drum fell on him on Ojo-Igbede Road in the Ojo Local Government Area of the state on Thursday, 14 March, 2024 The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the development in a post on his X handle on Sunday, 17 March, 2024 saying that the crane operator will likely spend the rest of his life in prison for “reckless and negligent act; and involuntary manslaughter.” “The operator of this crane will likely spend life in…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Olowu of Kuta in Ayedire Local Government of Osun, Oba Hameed Oyelude, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reopen the nation’s border with Benin Republic, just as he also called on Nigerians to be patient with Tinubu’ government. Oba Oyelude, who made the appeal on Sunday, 17 March, 2024 while addressing newsmen in his palace in Kuta, said the reopening of the border would ease the burden of Nigerians economically. “At the time the Benin Republic border was closed, the Federal Government was protecting the economy of the country. “But I want to urge the…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have rescued at least 50 foreigners, from neighbouring African countries, some of them children, from a duplex on Omola Road, in the Edemola area of Epe in the state. It was gathered that the rescued persons, all foreigners, were kept in the building by a gang of job scammers. Findings at the Okeoyibo Police Division where the rescued persons were taken, revealed that they were from Cameroon and Gabon. Investigations, according to the police, indicated that they were deceived by the ring leaders of a Cameroonian job scam gang that there…

Renowned poet, playwright, author and Professor of English and Dramatic Literature, Prof. Olu Obafemi has been chosen to be guest speaker at the public lecture/heroes’ day of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at the University of Jos (UNIJOS). At the event scheduled for 10am this Friday March 22 2024 at Unity Hall, ASUU Secretariat in Naraguta Campus of UNIJOS, Obafemi would speak on the topic, “Government’s Commitment Towards The Funding Of Public Universities In Nigeria: The Past, The Present and The Future.” Obafemi, former President, Nigerian Academy of Letters (2016-2018), is believed to have pioneered an experimental tool…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Lt.General Theophilus Danjuma (rtd) have been named among the 40 most influential people in Nigeria in a new book written by journalist and PR consultant, Bode Odeseye. The 40 Most Influential People in Nigeria listed other eminent Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in different areas of endeavors and have enormous influence in different spheres including politics/governance, democratic ideals/activism, economic, infrastructural and social development, banking and finance, commerce and industry, telecommunications/technology, education, philanthropy, legislative enactment and international relations. According to the author, a series of assiduous research…

The Network for Social Growth and Actualization of Viable Development (NEFGAD) has criticized the Students Loan Bill of President Bola Tinubu, describing it as unsustainable and injurious to the country’s development. The group in a statement signed by its Head of Office, Mr Akingunola Omoniyi and made available to newsmen in Abuja at the weekend maintained that the series of postponements and uncertainties around the launch of the scheme showed that the idea is weak and looking more like a mere campaign slogan that should have ended with the 2023 general elections. Akingunola said the bill is anti-development and psychologically…

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has supervised the distribution of food aid to over 52,500 families in seven local government areas in the Southern part of the state in order to alleviate the hardship caused by inflation and the current economic challenges bedeviling the country. The distribution took place on Sunday, 17 March, 2024, at the Biu township stadium. The benefiting local governments include Biu, Shani, Chibok, Askira-Uba, Kwaya Kusar, Bayo and Hawul. Zulum was quoted in a statement to have said: “This morning, we are in Biu to provide palliatives to 52,500 vulnerable families in southern Borno. This…

A student of SS2 in Nigerian Tulip International Colleges (NTIC), Muhabbat Yakubu has been selected to represent Nigeria at the International Festival of Language and Culture (IFLC) holding on 31st May 2024 in Germany. International Festival of Language and Culture (IFLC) is an annual celebration that showcases the diversity of linguistic talents from across the globe, with the sole vision of uniting nations of the world through universal human values and also promoting inclusiveness. It’s the living embodiment of respect, harmony and peace that can be achieved with the universal language of art, dance and music – colours of the…

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has laid the foundation for the construction of an eye and a dental hospital in Biu, According to a statement on Sunday, 17 March, 2024, the eye hospital has two operation theatres, consulting rooms, an administrative complex and male and female wards with a combined capacity of 56 beds, while the dental hospital has an edifice equipped with all the facilities needed to provide dental care to the people. Zulum, while warning contractors to ensure specified standards, gives six months to complete the project. The Governor stated that his administration has approved two eye…

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum on Sunday, 17 March, 2024, commissioned Azare mega water works in Hawul Local Government Area in the southern part of Borno. The project was aimed at addressing the lingering water scarcity in Azare town and the adjoining communities. Azare Water Works is one of the eight mega water projects initiated by the Zulum administration across the state. While the water works in Ngarannam, Moramti, Pulka, Chibok and Azare have been completed those of Madinatu and Shokwari in Jere and Musari in Maiduguri are still ongoing. The project has a combined 565,000-litre capacity reservoir, a…

The Government of Nigeria, with funding from the European Union and with the support of a consortium of United Nations agencies as key implementing partners have launched a new joint initiative supporting the Government’s efforts for reconciliation and reintegration within communities affected by non-state armed groups (NSAGs) in the northeast of the country. The joint initiative aims to foster social cohesion, reduce stigmatization, promote tolerance, and create space for acceptance and belonging within targeted communities in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe States. According to a statement on Sunday by the EU, the initiative was officially launched on March 14 by Nuhu…