Author: Soffiyyah Olamide

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed the air component of Operation Hadarin Daji has conducted air strikes on the enclaves of two terrorists in separate attacks in Katsina and Zamfara. The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, AVM Edward Gabkwet made this disclosure in a statement issued on Thursday, March 7, 2024. Gabkwet said that a post-strike battle damage assessment revealed the targeted location engulfed in flames, with a few survivors observed fleeing to safety. The first strike on Tuesday, 5 March, 2024 targeted terrorist leader, Maudi Maudi, south of Tsaskiya in Safana Local Government…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission, (ICPC), has announced that between 2019 and 2022, it concluded at least 4,705 investigations and recovered assets valued at N450,997 billion. In the same vein, the Commission, in the prevailing years, recovered lands and buildings worth over N25.361 billion. It also secured a final forfeiture of N8.823 billion. The Assistant Commissioner of the Commission, Hassan Salisu, who made this disclosure while speaking during a workshop with the theme, ‘Role of Media in the Fight Against Corruption: Lessons from other Countries’, in Kano on Thursday, 7 March, 2024. Salisu said that the…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has suspended the Managing Director of Rural Electrification Agency, REA Ahmad Salihijo Ahmed and three Executive Directors over N1.2 billion fraudulent misappropriation in the past two years. The Special Adviser to the President Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, made this disclosure in a statement issued on Thursday, 7 March, 2024. The three other affected directors are: Olaniyi Alaba Netufo, Executive Director of Corporate Services; Barka Sajou, Executive Director of Technical Services; and Sa’adatu Balgore — Executive Director of Rural Electrification Fund, REF. The President ordered a wider investigation into the conduct of the officials…

President Bola Tinubu has directed relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDA) of the Federal Government to ensure that the outcomes of research in science and technology are used to enrich policies that impact the real sector. The President issued the directive when the President of the Nigerian Academy of Science and the fellows of the Academy paid a courtesy visit to the President at the State House in Abuja on Thursday. President Tinubu emphasized that his administration is advancing an all-encompassing approach to leveraging the capacity of Nigerians to innovate and create solutions from all spheres of human initiative across…

The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested 48( Forty-eight) suspected internet fraudsters and herbalist for offences bordering on conspiracy and obtaining under false pretence in Lokoja, Kogi State capital. They were arrested upon credible intelligence on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at various locations in Lokoja, The herbalist, believed to be a spiritual godfather of internet fraudsters, was arrested with various charms Items recovered from them include 10 exotic cars, two motorcycles, 11 laptops, 83 mobile phones and charms. The suspects, all male, between the ages of 17 -34 will be arraigned in court…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike At a resumed trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Governor, Godwin Emefiele, on Thursday, 7 March, 2024 in Abuja, a forensic analyst confirmed that a document used to request the payment of $6.2million for foreign election observers was forged. The forensic expert named Bamaiyi Meriga, called by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), made this disclosure before Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja. Recall that Emefiele is standing trial before Justice Muazu on 20-count amended charges bordering on corrupt advantages, conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, forgery and obtaining…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike A 20 year-old man is currently cooling-off in one of the cells for allegedly stabbing to death two women at a university in the western Mexico city of Guadalajara on Wednesday, 6 March, 2024. A prosecutor in Jalisco State, Luis Joaquin Mendez, confirmed the arrest of the attacker, disclosing that the man burst onto the campus of Centro Universitario UTEG carrying a knife and a hatchet, which he used to smash several windows. “There was no reason, no apparent motive,” for the attack, said the prosecutor, adding that the attacker’s “aggression was directed against the first people…

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Thursday, 7 March, 2024, paid a working visit to the site of the under-construction state industrial park at Eiyenkorin in Asa local government, calling it a catalyst for development in the state. The Governor expressed happiness with the level of work done so far, and said the project will create job opportunities for people and enhance the economic and revenue base of the state. He said a number of big firms have already indicated interest in the project. “This is phase one of the industrial park. We are happy with the progress of work.…

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has charged the Federal Ministry of Justice to build a justice system that not only dispenses justice but fosters a sense of trust and confidence in the citizens, noting that the success of the Ministry would be measured by the positive impact felt by the ordinary Nigerians seeking justice. Speaking on Thursday, 7 March, 2024, during the three-day retreat of the Top Management of the Federal Ministry of Justice held at Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja, Lagos, Governor Sanwo-Olu advised the Ministry to adopt a holistic approach that addresses not only legal processes but also the…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Former Super Eagles Nigeria goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, has disclosed that he would love to return to the national team set-up if offered the chance. The 41-year-old goal tender made this disclosure in an interview with Lagos Talks. “Becoming a goalkeeper coach, first of all, I’m not yet certified. If they want me to be like Zidane, who was not yet certified, but Real Madrid had faith in him, it can happen. “I don’t have a problem if they wake up tomorrow and say, Vincent, come and be part of the setup- I will gladly do it. I…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has threatened non-performing distribution companies (discos) with licence revocation as Nigerians suffer power outage in the country. Adebayo said it is disheartening to witness the decline in power supply despite the concerted efforts to improve the situation. The Minister, who stated this on his X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, 6 March, 2024, said :“The Ministry has been exerting pressure on the Generating Companies (GENCOs) to enhance their performance, resulting in a recent increase in generation to over 4000MW. Despite this progress, certain distribution companies are failing to adequately distribute the power…

The Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, has implored women and other relevant stakeholders in the nation to continue working on how to improve the lots of women and the girl-child as Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark the 2024 International Women’s Day. Women and girls in the world are usually celebrated annually on March 8 to show their importance as homemakers and nation builders. The theme for this year, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) , is “Invest in women: Accelerate Progress”. Ojelabi in a statement…

Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs), has emphasized the necessity for increased investment and dedication to initiatives aimed at empowering women and promoting gender inclusion across Nigeria. Orelope-Adefulire made this assertion in a statement released by her Special Assistant on media, Desmond Utomwen in observance of the 2024 International Women’s Day. Aligned with this year’s theme, ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,’ and the campaign theme, ‘Inspire Inclusion,’ Princess Orelope-Adefulire stressed that sustainable development cannot be attained if women are marginalized. The Presidential Aide called upon stakeholders from both the public and private…

In a bid to boost start-up capital and place more resources at the disposal of aspiring young entrepreneurs in Nigeria, retail lender, Unity Bank Plc has increased the prize money for winners of its flagship Entrepreneurship Development Initiative, known as Corpreneurship Challenge to 16 million Naira per stream. Consequently, participants who emerge winners in the business pitch will henceforth win N800,000, N500,000, and N300,000 Business grants for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd positions respectively as against the previous editions in which the sum of N500,000; N300,000 and N200,000 were handed out to respective winners in the Corpreneurship Challenge. Launched in 2019 with pilots in 4 states -…

The Senate Leader, Senator Micheal Opeyemi Bamidele has felicitated with Engineer Atinuke Wuraola Owolabi as she is set to be inaugurated as Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Association of Professional Women Engineers (APWEN). Engineer Owolabi will be inaugurated as the 10th Chairman of the Association’s Lagos chapter on Friday, 8 March, 2024 at the prestigious Sheraton Hotels in Ikeja. In a letter of congratulations sent to Engineer Owolabi, which he personally signed, Senator Bamidele described the new APWEN Chairman in Lagos as a worthy Ambassador of Ekiti State. “Your election to lead this great body was a…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The trial of famous singer, Azeez Fashola, popularly addressed as Naira Marley, suffered hitch before a Federal High Court Lagos on Wednesday, following a pending application for fiat before the Chief Judge of the court. The prosecutor, Mrs Bilikisu Buhari, informed the trial judge, Justice Isaac Dipeolu, that an application for fiat to enable the former judge continue with trial of the defendant, is already awaiting approval by the CJ of the court. She said that the application is dated December 8, 2023. The criminal trial of Nigerian singer Azeez Fashola, a.k.a Naira Marley, could not Recall that the…

The United Nations has strongly condemned the reported abduction of internally displaced persons (IDPs), many of them women, boys and girls, in Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State. In a statement on Wednesday, 6 March, 2024, UN lamented that while the exact number of people abducted remains unknown, but it is estimated at over 200 people. The statement by the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Mohammed Malick Fall read that: “On 29 February, members of a non-state armed group (NSAG) allegedly abducted the IDPs who had reportedly ventured beyond the safety of the trenches surrounding Ngala -…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Police Service Commission has approved the promotion of 1,607 Deputy Superintendents of Police to the next rank of Superintendents. Recall that PSC had earlier stepped down the consideration of the officers’ promotion at its last management meeting where other recommendations were considered when it noticed some discrepancies in the list. This was contained in a press statement issued by the Head, Press and Public Relations, PSC, Ikechukwu Ani, on Wednesday, 6 March, 2024. The statement quoted the Chairman of the Commission and Retired Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, as saying that the Commission has restored the dignity…

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) reaffirmed its commitment to establish NHRC Radio and Television outfits to enhance the promotion and protection of human rights across Nigeria. This was contained in a communique jointly signed by the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Commission Dr. Tony Ojukwu OFR, SAN and the Chairperson Governing Council of the NHRC Dr. Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman during the just concluded February statutory council meeting which took place at the headquarters of the Commission in Abuja. This initiative to establish the NHRC Media outfit, aligns with Section 6(m)(n) of the NHRC Act 1995 as amended, this…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike A Federal High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, presided over by Justice E.U. Akpan, on Wednesday, 6 March, 2024, ordered the remand of a woman and two men in connection with the January 16 Bodija explosion in Ibadan, the state capital. The police charged Ramatu Camara, 47, Ganiu Malik, 20, and Abubakar Samasa, 64, with conspiracy, use of weapons of mass destruction, stockpiling of radioactive materials, and dispersal of biological weapons. The trio pleaded not guilty to the charge leveled against them.. Justice Akpan ordered that they be remanded in the Agodi correctional centre, and adjourned the suit until…