Author: Soffiyyah Olamide

By Abimbola Ogunnaike President Bola Tinubu has dismissed with wave of hands that the Nigerian economy is in distress, just as he also highlighted the progress his administration has made so far. The President, who stated this while speaking at the Leadership Conference and Awards, 2023, in Abuja on Tuesday, 5 March, 2024, added that there are plenty of opportunities and development in the economy of the country. Represented by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the Tinubu shared key initiatives and investment efforts by the administration to support Nigerian businesses, students, and vulnerable households, as well as to…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, on Tuesday, 5 March, 2024 disclosed that at least 251 had first class, while a total of 888 candidates failed the final bar examination conducted November 2023. This is just as 4,412 candidates were successful out of a total of 5,300 who sat for the examination. Chiroma made this disclosure at the call to bar ceremony held in Abuja on Tuesday, 5 March, 2024. “I will be presenting at this Call to the Bar ceremony a total of 4,412 candidates who were successful at the November 2023…

The Federal Government in order to ensure a healthier, cleaner, and more sustainable environment on Tuesday inaugurated the Working Group on Environmental Standards for the Sustainable Procurement Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement (SPESSE) Project Inaugurating the project in Abuja, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, explained that the project was a collaboration of the World Bank and the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Environment, Finance, Budget and National Planning, and is aimed at enhancing human capacity in sustainable procurement, environmental, and social standards in both the public and private sectors, which would create a more sustainable…

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum paid a visit to the Qatar Charity Foundation’s headquarters in Doha on Monday, 4 March, 2024. The Governor met with officials from the Qatar Charity and thanked them for citing multimillion-naira Borno projects earlier this year. Zulum reiterated Borno’s commitment to partner with the foundation in addressing the root causes of insurgency bedevilling not only Borno State but the entire northern region of Nigeria. The Qatar Charity is one of the world’s largest humanitarian and development organisations, providing life-saving assistance to those affected by conflicts, persecution and natural disasters while also creating long-term solutions to…

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has urged Nigerians especially muslim faithful to use the period of the holy month of Ramadan to pray for God’s guidance for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, state governors, ministers and other political leaders in the country. Marwa gave the charge in his remarks at the pre-Ramadan lecture organized by the Alhaji Mohammed Lawal Memorial Jummat Mosque, Asokoro Abuja on Sunday. He said the month of Ramadan is unique in the Islamic calender when the holy quran was revealed. “It is indeed a period…

The ECOWAS Court of Justice has dismissed a suit brought by a registered NGO, the Incorporated Trustees of Media Rights Agenda, requesting the Court to hold the Nigerian government liable for violation of the rights to life and freedom of expression of 11 journalists allegedly murdered at different times in the line of duty. Justice Dupe Atoki, judge rapporteur who delivered the judgment on Tuesday, 5 March, 2024, in Abuja, upheld the preliminary objection of the Respondent, Federal Republic of Nigeria, that the NGO lacked legal capacity to file the suit on behalf of the 11 deceased journalists identified in…

The 2024 Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting has opened in Zanzibar with calls for stronger action to ensure that access to justice becomes a reality for all 2.5 billion Commonwealth citizens. In her remarks to the opening ceremony on Tuesday, 5 March, 2024, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, told more than 400 ministers, senior government officials, and other dignitaries from across the world’s six regions that: “It is our responsibility to drive forward the paradigm shift agreed at our last meeting in Mauritius to deliver on the Commonwealth Access to Justice Declaration and ensure that people of…

The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Sunday, said the 2023 Man of the Year Award by the Silverbird Group is a testimony to the efforts of his administration to reposition the State for more economic prosperity. Receiving the Award held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, Governor Abiodun reiterated his commitment and dedication to the socio-economic development of the Gateway State. He said that apart from engendering good governance, his administration places a premium on a friendly environment and security for businesses to thrive, saying this has led to the influx of industries to the state.…

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has described former President Olusegun Obasanjo as a leading voice in the quest for political emancipation and good governance. Governor Abiodun stated this on Tuesday, 5 March, 2024, at a lecture to mark the 87th birthday of Chief Obasanjo titled, “Quality Leadership and Inclusive Democracy as Catalysts for Development in a Strife-Ridden World” at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, Ogun State capital. Acknowledging Chief Obasanjo for being deeply connected to his roots, Prince Abiodun also praised him for being a respected democratic leader globally. “Baba has become a world-respected democratic leader, a…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike As parts of its efforts to tackle hunger across the country, Nigerian Customs Service(NCS) has announced that it has kick-started the sale of seized food items to vulnerable Nigerians. The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Adewale Adeniyi, made this disclosure on Tuesday, 5 March, 2024 on the floor of the House of Representatives during the sectoral debate series which also had in attendance the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari. According to Adeniyi, President Bola Tinubu has ordered that food items produced in Nigeria and seized at the Nigerian land borders, be sold…

Two first class traditional rulers in Adamawa state, HRH Kuruhaye Dishon Dansanda II, Kwandi Nunguraya and HRM Biyapo Bwaltam Bently Mboiman II, Murum Mbula, have called for enhanced partnership between the traditional institution and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) The monarchs also commended the activities of the anti-narcotics agency aimed at curbing the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country. The calls was made during their courtesy visit to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) at the its national headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday. They said traditional institution…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Amid an ongoing regulatory conflict in the country, Binance has announced that it will discontinue all services for Nigeria’s fiat currency, the naira. The crypto exchange will automatically convert naira balances to USDT from Friday, 9 March, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. UTC but will cease support for NGN deposits after 14:00 UTC today. Withdrawals will become unsupported after March 8 at 6:00 a.m. UTC. Posting on its website on Tuesday, 25 March, Binance said the conversion rate for automatic conversions will be 1 USDT per 1,515.13 naira According to an announcement, all spot trading pairs against the…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, has announced a scholarship worth N250 million to a 23-year-old Kano-based commercial Tricyclist, Awwalu Salisu, who returned a cash of N15 million left in his tricycle by a Chadian businessman in 2023. Before the latest development, the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, was the first to offer Awwalu scholarship at the Abuja-based Baze University up to PhD level. Following the gesture by Obi, Bago said the LP candidate cannot be allowed to outshine the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC) announcing a N250m scholarship award to Awwalu to appreciate his act…

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has described the appointment of Mrs Kemi Nandap as the new Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), as well deserved. Abiodun, in a congratulatory message to Nandap, described the new NIS boss as a thorough professional who has the exceptional skills, knowledge, and experience to lead the Service to greater heights. Nandap’s appointment was announced on 21st February 2024, following the retirement of the former Comptroller General of Immigration, Mrs. Caroline Wura-Ola Adepoju. According to the governor, Nandap’s appointment was a testament to her remarkable dedication, exemplary leadership, and invaluable contributions to…

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has reaffirmed its commitment to the continuous engagement of stakeholders to build synergy for the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region. The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, stated this during the special ceremony organised by the Okrika Council of Chiefs and the people of Okrika to honour the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Tom, at the Okrika National School field, in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.Ogbuku, who was represented by the NDDC Executive Director, Projects, Sir Victor Antai, said that the Commission was building strong collaborations and engaging with…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike with agency report France lawmakers have approved a bill that would promote the right to abortion in the constitution of the country in a joint session of Parliament at the Palace of Versailles. With the latest development, France has become the first country in the world to include the right to abortion in its constitution. Parliamentarians voted to revise the country’s 1958 constitution to promote women’s guaranteed freedom to abort, and the result was an overwhelming vote of 780–72. This was President Emmanuel Macron, in a swift reaction, said the move was French pride that had sent…

By Abimbola Oguunaike Due to non-remittances of purchase tax in their malls to the government, the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service (ESIRS) has sealed Enugu ShopRite and SPAR. The service, which made this disclosure in a statement issued and signed by its Spokesperson, Nnamdi Eneh on Tuesday, 5 March, 2024 after the enforcement drive, accused the malls and stores affected of refusing to remit withholding purchase taxes despite being served several warning notices. According to Eneh, the ESiRS officials also sealed Roban Stores and Mama Onyinye restaurant among others for the same offence. He said that taxes the government is…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike At least 12 persons died and 28 others sustained injuries in a road accident along the Zaria-Kano Expressway in Kaduna State. The Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC), Kaduna State Sector Commander, Kabir Nadabo, confirmed the sad development during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) on Monday. According to Nadabo, the fatal road traffic crash occurred at Tashar Yari village at 7.36 am on Monday, 4 March, 2024. “The trailer with a registration number KTG 454 ZZ was travelling to Kano when the unfortunate incident occurred,” Nadabo said. He said that the cause of the crash was…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Vice President Kashim Shettima has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu’s administration will fix this country and the failure to do so is not an option Shettima admitted that Tinubu’s government is facing the difficult and challenging task of fixing the myriads of problems confronting Nigeria. The vice president, who said the current administration has no plans of deceiving Nigerians or making life more difficult for citizens, assured that the current economic challenges confronting the country would soon be over. Shettima stated on Sunday, 3 March, 2024 in Lagos during the 29th pre-Ramadan lecture organised by the University of Lagos…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike with agency report The World Health Organisation has cried out to the world over horrifying scenes of children dying of starvation, shortages of food, fuel and medicines in two Gaza hospitals. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on X, that the findings were “grim”, adding that “the situation at Al Awda was particularly appalling, as one of the buildings is destroyed”. According to Ghebreyesus, the Kamal Adwan hospital, the only pediatrics hospital in northern Gaza, was overwhelmed with patients. The lack of food resulted in the deaths of 10 children. Meanwhile, Geneva-based organisation, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor…