Author: Soffiyyah Olamide

The Oyo State Government has described rumours making rounds that it has allocated Agodi Botanical Gardens to a proposed Housing Estate, as baseless and untrue. The state Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Williams Akin Funmilayo said that mischief makers are trying to bring the State Government into an unnecessary distraction and nullify the laudable achievements recorded so far. He disclosed further that the Government values reforestation and afforestation, and as such, would not convert Agodi gardens into a residential Estate. He added that the large expanse of land to be converted to Baywood Estate does not include…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPC Ltd.) has assured that the projections on crude oil production and price benchmark for the 2024 Budget were realistic and realizable. The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Company, Mr. Mele Kyari, gave the assurance during an interactive session with the Senate Committee on Finance at the National Assembly, Abuja, on Wednesday, 13 December, 2023. Speaking on the dynamics of the market in relation to the projected budget benchmark price of $77.96 per barrel, Kyari said: “With what we see in the market today and potentially in the year 2024 and even…

As a rider to the ratification of every recommendations of the Personnel Management Board by the Lagos State Civil Service Commission (C.S.C) on the seven indicted officials, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on Friday, 8 December, 2023 released letters of Termination of Appointments and Reprimand to all 7 indicted officials of the Agency at Oshodi, Lagos. In a press statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Mr. Adebayo Taofiq confirmed that every recommendations made by the Personnel Management Board on the 7 indicted LASTMA officials during their meeting on Tuesday, 19 August, 2023…

Vice President Kashim Shettima has hinted at plans by the Federal Government to rebuild Tudun Biri village in Igabi local government area of Kaduna State which was hit by a misfire from drones belonging to the Nigerian military. According to the VP, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed that the Pullako Initiative should be kick-started in Kaduna State, with a complete package, including houses, clinics, schools, veterinary clinics, empowerment initiatives and solar energy, among others, in Tudun Biri community as a way of compensation for the destruction caused by the drone misfire. The Vice President disclosed this on Thursday, 7…

ECOWAS leaders have resolved to urgently review efforts to activate a standby force for counter- terrorism operations in areas infested by terrorist groups. A communiqué read by Dr. Omar Touray, President of ECOWAS Commission, at the end of the 64th ordinary session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, on Sunday, 10 December, 2023, in Abuja, said the leaders reiterated their commitment to the eradication of terrorism and other threats to peace, security, and stability in the region. They also resolved to hold an extraordinary summit on unconstitutional changes of government aimed at promoting peace, security,…

Streaming giant, Prime Video is on the move again as it is out with a new captivating original film, Breath of Life, premiering on December 15, 2023. Breath of Life, a journey of redemption and hope, unnravelling the depths of human Connection. Written and Directed by BB Sasore and produced by Eku Edewor, and its executive director is Derin Adeyokunnu, this heartwarming masterpiece delves into the transformative journey of Timi, an extraordinarily gifted and wealthy man grappling with the depths of grief and despair following a tragic loss. When Timi’s path intersects with Elijah, a humble young man who becomes his housekeeper, their unexpected encounter ignites a profound transformation.…

Former Auditor General/Permanent Secretary for Local Governments in Lagos State, Alhaji Mubashiru Hassan has congratulated the state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi on the Honourary Doctor of Divinity award bestowed on him by a Lagos based theological institute, Crystal Bible College. Speaking exclusively to thegazellenews.com on the award, Alhaji Hassan described it as well deserved. “It’s a well deserved honour. Our Chairman is a God-fearing cleric on his own and he has been directing the affairs of our great with divine assistance from Almighty God,” Hassan said According to him, the Lagos APC Chairman has…

It was a moment to savour students of tertiary institutions in Odiolowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area and their parents as the Rasak Ajala led administration distributed bursary awards to deserving students in the council area. The epoch-making event took place on Wednesday, 6 December, 2023 at the council secretariat in Ilupeju. What made the event more memorable for the benefitting students and their parents was the fact that bursary amount was significantly jerked up by the council. “The amount paid was raised to reflect the current economic situation in the country,” Rasaq Olusola Ajala, Chairman of the LCDA told reporters…

Ogun State has been described as one of the most progressive states in Nigeria with adequate infrastructure and a conducive environment for businesses to thrive. The Managing Director of Polaris Bank, Mr. Adekunle Sonola made the assertion on Wednesday in an interview with newsmen after a meeting with Governor Dapo Abiodun at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. According to the bank executive, Governor Abiodun is doing wonderfully well in the area of infrastructural development and creating the right atmosphere for businesses to thrive. He said: “Governor Abiodun is running one of the most progressive states in the country with a…

Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested five new suspects in connection with the recent robbery attacks and killings in some parts of the state, particularly at the Gateway Polytechnic, Saapade. The command also announced that it has recovered two Lexus cars stolen during the recent robbery attacks. The state Commissioner of Police, Alamutu, made the disclosure earlier today while speaking on the security situation across today. Recall that some suspected armed robbers recently invader communities hosting students of the Gateway Polytechnic, Saapade in Remo North Local Government Area of Ogun State, robbing and shooting some of the…

The Charge D’ Affaires of Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Leann Johnston, lamented in Abuja on Tuesday, 5 December, 2023, that despite the declaration by Nigeria for the Anti-Torture Act 2017, the government has not complied with it 100 per cent According to him, there are many persons in correctional centres who are only there because of a confession induced through torture. Johnston raised the issue during a training for members of the National Committee Against Torture (NCAT) on the legal framework on torture and effective implementation of the Anti-Torture Act, organised by Avocats Sans Frontieres France (ASF) under the…

The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has some posers to unravel as a Lagos-based business man, traders and investors tackle the state Building Control Agency (LABSCA), over the demolision of a three-storey shopping complex in Lagos Island, thegazellenews.com reports. The aggrieved people are also seeking answers from the Agency and its officials why the building should be demolished five days after the agency had collected a total of N4.5 million paid in separate tranches of N2.5 million and N2 million respectively into two separate accounts. Equally strange to the business man, the aggrieved traders and investors was why the…

The ECOWAS Court has ordered the Togolese Republic to release without delay M. Adam Latif and 13 other inmates who were arrested in December 2018 amid planned demonstrations and have been detained since then. The Applicants accused the Togolese Republic of violation of their fundamental rights. In the judgment delivered on November 30 by Justice Ricardo Claúdio Monteiro Gonçalves, judge rapporteur, the Court ordered the payment of 30 million francs CFA to each of the Applicants in compensation for the moral damage suffered due to the violation of their rights. It held that the Respondent State violated the Applicants’ human…

The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has approved the award of the Yekinni Adeojo Government Residential Area (GRA), to Messers Allianz West Africa (Nigeria) Limited under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) scheme. The Director General of Oyo State Investment & Public-Private Partnership Agency (OYSIPPA), Mr Tilewa Folami, handed over the MANDATE LETTER OF GRANT to the Managing Director/CEO of Allianz-West Africa Offshore Limited, Engr Adeyinka Owodunni in Ibadan on Tuesday, 5 December, 2023. According to the mandate letter, Allianz West Africa Ltd. will develop the Infrastructural Facilities at the 50-Hectare Yekinni Adeojo GRA, Oluyole, Ibadan using private funds and also manage…

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday swore in Mr. Biodun Ogunleye and Engr. Olufemi Daramola, as members of the State Executive Council. Ogunleye was sworn in as Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, while Daramola was appointed Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure. Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony held at the Exco Chamber, Lagos House, Ikeja, Governor Sanwo-Olu urged the newly appointed cabinet members to hit the ground running by taking their responsibilities to an enviable height for them to meet the yearnings and expectations of Lagos residents. He said: “It is clear that you will add…

Oba Hameed Ajijola, the Olu of Araromi Eleranigbe kingdom has felicitated with the Olofa of Offa, His Royal Majesty, Oba Mufutau Muhammed Gbadamosi, on the occasion of his son’s wedding. The wedding ceremony which took place between 30th November and 2nd December 2023 at the Imperial Events Center, opposite The Summit University, Irra Road, Offa Kwara State literally turned the ancient town to a tourist destination with important dignitaries from all works of life honouring the Olofa and the royal family on the occasion of the royal wedding between Prince Oyeyemi Mohammed Gbadamosi and his hearthrob, Aisha Oloruntosin Shuaib. It…

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has expressed determination to embrace clean energy sources through practical approaches such as nature-based solutions and green innovations. Speaking during a side event at the Climate Change Conference, COP28 in Dubai, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said the Commission was leveraging on the key sectors of the energy transition plan, to develop new green skills and create new jobs. He noted that significant investments, partnerships and collaboration were required to succeed in this direction. Ogbuku said: “Our gathering at COP28 is a reminder of the urgent need for several and collective actions…

Governor of Oyo State, ‘Seyi Makinde, has presented the 2024 Appropriation Bill tagged Budget of Economic Recovery to the state House of Assembly, noting that the budget is a chance for his administration to show its responsiveness to the current economic situation in the country. The Governor, who presented the N434,221,765,938.79 Budget Proposal to the House of Assembly presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, said his government has been proactive in responding to the hardship people face. He added that the administration has taken all the necessary steps to ensure that the 2024 Budget addresses the economic…