Author: Soffiyyah Olamide

By Muhammed Idris When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was sworn in on May 29, 2023, he made far-reaching statements regarding his economic vision for Nigeria. Two policy statements stood out in this regard. First, he announced an immediate end to the petrol subsidy regime, because it could no longer justify its ever-increasing costs in the wake of dwindling resources. He also made a firm promise to channel the savings accruing from the removal into much-needed investments in public infrastructure, education, healthcare, social investment and prosperity for tens of millions of Nigerians. Since the removal of the petrol subsidy, petrol importation…

Dear Derin Disu, Happy 70th birthday to an extraordinary woman, a beacon of hard work, and a dedicated philanthropist! Your relentless commitment to making a positive impact has left an indelible mark on countless lives. As you celebrate this milestone, may you be surrounded by the love and gratitude of those you’ve touched with your kindness. Your friendship is a treasure, and your resilience an inspiration. Here’s to the countless achievements, the unwavering spirit, and the incredible person you are. May this special day be filled with joy, reflection, and the warmth of those who hold you dear. Cheers to…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Chairman of Edo All Progressive Action Congress (APC) shadow poll, Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River on Friday, 23 February, 2024 declared Senator Monday Okpebholo as winner of the governorship primary election held in the state. Otu made the declaration after collating the results from the 18 local government areas in the state. According to him, Okpebholo scored 12,433 votes to defeat Dennis Idahosa, who scored 6,541 votes. The collation and declaration were at Lushville Hotel and Suites, Gapiona Avenue, Government Reservation Area (GRA), Benin. Recall that Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State was replaced with…

By Yushau A. Shuaib To some extent, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) play strategic roles in ensuring that the public is adequately informed about the efforts and accomplishments of the security services, especially ongoing military operations. Behind the scenes, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, facilitates inter-agency collaboration and harmonious relationships among the different security organisations to achieve peace and stability in the country. He recently directed the reactivation of the Forum of Spokespersons of Security and Response Agencies (FOSSRA), which was established during the tenure of President Goodluck Jonathan,…

These duo were the envy of all less than 2 years ago, when they went all out to solemnise their love. The carnival like wedding ceremony cost millions of dollars and was celebrated over days. Fashion, glamour, and more were on fleek all through. Much to the admiration of all, most likely to the envy of all too. The handsome and wealthy Nigerian-(American) businessman even commissioned Africa’s nos 1 stylist Swankyjerry to take care of his style. The lovers flew in to Nigeria, Benin, in Edo states, where Simon is from, to touch down with the traditional aspect of the…

Nigerian-born Simon Guobadia, husband of ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta (RHOA)’ star Porsha Williams, has been denied US citizenship due to his criminal past which involves numerous felonies for bank fraud, credit card fraud, identity fraud and more. On January 11, a 13-page petition was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division. The civil action filing was regarding Simon Iyore Guobadia against the Director of US Citizenship and Immigration Services, UR Mendoza Jaddou and the Director of the USCIS Atlanta Field Office, Shineka Miller. According to the documents, Guobadia applied for US citizenship…

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday, joined President Bola Tinubu, represented by his Vice, Senator Kashim Shettima; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; and other eminent Nigerians to attend the funeral service of the immediate past Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN). The funeral service held at the Cathedral Church of St. Andrew, Owo, Ondo State was also attended by the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Douye Diri…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Federal Government has disclosed plans to create at least 100,000 verifiable jobs by May 29, 2024. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Job Creation, Office of the Vice-President, Temitola Adekunle-Johnson unveiled the plan in Abuja on Friday, 24 February, 2024. Adekunle-Johnson stated this at the inaugural Job Creation and MSME Quarterly Communications Forum, organised by the Job Creation & MSME Secretariat, Office of the Vice President. According to him, \the Federal Government was focusing on job creation in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.…

Operatives from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), police force and other agencies have arrested115 currency racketeers. Recall that the National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, had on Tuesday ordered operatives of the EFCC, police, the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit, to clamp down on forex market speculators whom he said are aiding current naira free fall. Confirming the arrest of the alleged currency traffickers to newsmen on Friday,the spokesman of the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, disclosed that the joint task force comprising five teams arrested at least 115 currency racketeers. According to Oyewale the suspects…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, will on Monday, February 26, 2024, inaugurate eleven newly appointed Justices of the Supreme Court. The new jurists, who have been cleared for the Apex Court bench by the Senate for over a month now, will be sworn-in by Ariwoola at the Main Courtroom of the Supreme Court. This was contained in a statement issued to newsmen on Friday, 23 February, 2024 by the Director of Press and Information of the Supreme Court, Dr Festus Akande. Akande, who indicated that the event is slated for 10:00 am, disclosed that the…

The Nigeria Police have commended the Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, for providing needed resources and logistics support as 14th edition of the Biennial Police Games tagged Oluyole 2024, is set to kick off in Ibadan, on Saturday, 24 February, 2024. The historic sporting event will begin with an opening ceremony that will be attended by the Presidency, the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, Ph.D. and the Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, among other dignitaries. Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said that 4,000 policemen and policewomen will be participating in different sporting events. He said this during…

The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned the immediate past Governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed before Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin. He was arraigned on a 12-count charge bordering on alleged mismanagement of public funds to the tune of N10billion. Count one of the charges reads: “That you, ABDULFATAH AHMED (while being the Governor of Kwara State) between 2015 and 2019 in Ilorin within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court used an aggregate sum of N1,610,730,500.00 (One Billion, Six Hundred and Ten Million, Seven Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Five Hundred…

The British High Commission in Nigeria has lauded the Ogun State government on its aggressive industrial revolution drive, thereby making the state a haven for businesses in the country. Giving the commendation on Friday was the Deputy British High Commissioner, Mr. Jonny Baxter when he led a team from the British High Commission, Lagos, to the Office of the Deputy Governor, Engr. (Mrs.) Noimot Salako-Oyedele. Baxter noted that the huge industrial presence across the Gateway State was a testament to the Governor Dapo Abiodun-led administration’s commitment towards ensuring the state remains the industrial capital of Nigeria, expressing the Commission’s willingness…

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced sweeping interventions which the State will be implementing in order to reduce the effects of the current economic hardship on its citizens. The Governor, during a live media chat on Thursday, conveyed his empathy to the State’s residents groaning under the rising cost of living, resulting in inflation of food and commodities prices. Sanwo-Olu rolled out layers of measures targeted at vulnerable populations within the State to mitigate the impact of the hardship and bring about immediate ease, just as the Federal Government led the recovery efforts. The Governor bared it all at…

Former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Honourable Segun Olulade is one of the new appointees recently approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, reports thegazellenews.com. Olulade and others’ appointments were made public via a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale. Olulade was named Executive Secretary, Customer Centricity and Marketing for Galaxy Backbone Limited, one of the agencies in the Communications ministry. Other appointments made by the President in the sector are as follows: NIGERIAN COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (NCC) (1) Abraham Oshadami — Executive…

President Bola Tinubu has asked senior civil servants to rededicate themselves to their duties and work towards improving the lives of Nigerians by acting with dispatch on matters that border on the welfare of citizens. The President, who met with the Head of Service, the Body Of Permanent Secretaries, and some Directors-General of agencies at the State House, on Thursday, 22 February, 2024, said policies impacting the welfare of the people and the economy must be treated with urgency, diligence, and a strong sense of duty. President Tinubu warned that the ineffectiveness and unnecessary bureaucracy that result in the delay…

Ogun State House of Assembly Committee on Public Accounts and Anti-Corruption, led by Hon. Damilare Bello on Wednesday, 21 February, 2024, continued its sittings with a clarification that the invitation extended to the state former Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Abdul-Waheed Odusile and the SSA to the Governor on Media, Emmanuel Ojo was not an indictment but rather to seek clarifications on the audit report of the Ministry. Hon. Bello made the clarification on Wednesday, during the Committee’s meeting with the officials of the State Hospitals Management Board at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. The Committee Chairman in company of…

By Bola Ahmed Tinubu The world exists in a period of fundamental transition. Neither Africa nor Nigeria is exempt from realities of this transition. Where there is transition, there inherently is uncertainty. Again, neither Africa nor Nigeria is immune from the uncertainty for it is systemic. As a continent and as individual nations, we face strong headwinds and difficult hurdles seeking to complicate our mission to bring democratic good governance and economic development to our people. Many of these obstacles such as climate change and unfair patterns of global trade are largely not of our making. However, some of the…