Author: Soffiyyah Olamide

Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, and Saudi Export-Import Bank (Saudi EXIM), a premier export credit agency in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, have announced a partnership aimed at strengthening business growth and enhancing economic cooperation between their economies. To this end, both institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday, 9 November, 2023, to foster economic cooperation and trade relations between the two entities. The MoU was signed on the side-lines of the Saudi and Arab African Summits in Saudi Arabia. The partnership between UBA Group and Saudi EXIM Bank outlines the guiding principles for…

All relevant institutional and statutory agencies have been asked to adequately respond to and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on agriculture and food production in order to ensure food security in the country. Speaking at the First Regional Workshop on Climate Smart Soil in Abuja organized by the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) in collaboration with African Climate Action Partnership, the Chairman of House of Representatives Committee on Climate Change, Hon. Chris Nkwonta said soils are integral to the functions of all terrestrial ecosystems and to increased and sustainable food production. He noted that: “Consequently, conscious efforts…

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of 20 Nigerians to serve as Federal Commissioners in the National Population Commission (NPC) with nine current Federal Commissioners being appointed to a second term in office. This was disclosed via a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale on Wednesday, 8 November, 2023. According to the statement, those appointed by the President are: (1) Hon. Emmanuel Trump Eke — Abia (2) Dr. Clifford Zirra — Adamawa — Reappointed (3) Mr. Chidi Christopher Ezeoke — Anambra — Reappointed (4) Barr. Isa Audu Buratai — Borno —…

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has disclosed that construction work has commenced on the Sagamu-Papalanto-Ilaro Road under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement between Ogun State, the Federal Government and Dangote Group. Governor Abiodun, who disclosed this at the commissioning of the Abeokuta branch of Providus Bank at Oke-Ilewo, said the dual carriage way which would be made of concrete, represent a successful story of how PPP could be used for the good of the people. The road, the Governor said, when completed, would ease traffic on the Abeokuta-Siun- Sagamu road, which is currently providing a link from the…

Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima on Wednesday, 8 November, 2023, in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, reiterated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment towards the overall development of the Niger Delta as well as other parts of the country. Senator Shettima who represented President Tinubu at the grand finale of the All Progressive Congress (APC) gubernatorial rally in Bayelsa State ahead of Saturday’s election noted that Bayelsa State, like every other state in Nigeria, remained dear to the visions and developmental focus of the Tinubu administration. The Vice President revealed that a wholistic plan for the development of the Niger Delta…

President Bola Tinubu will, on Thursday, 9 November, 2023, depart Abuja for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,to attend the Saudi-Africa Summit, which is scheduled to take place in Riyadh on November 10, 2023 at the Saudi-Africa Summit, the President will underscore Nigeria’s commitment to attracting more Foreign Direct Investment and expanding business partnerships, which are strongly reinforced by his administration’s ongoing domestic economic reforms. Discussions at the first Saudi-Africa Summit will revolve around supporting joint action, enhancing political coordination, addressing regional security threats, facilitating economic transformation through research, and the local development of new energy solutions, all while bolstering cross-sectoral investment cooperation.…

President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, 8 November, 2023, signed the N2.176 trillion Supplementary Appropriation Act in Abuja to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and address Nigeria’s critical infrastructure deficit, amongst other considerations. The President signed the Supplementary Appropriation Act, 2023, in his office at the State House in the presence of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume; Majority Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele; the Chairmen of the Appropriation Committees in the Senate, Sen. Olamilekan Adeola; and the House of Representatives, Hon. Abubakar…

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has said that adequate dredging and channelisation of the Ogun River would go a long way in curbing the perennial flooding of Isheri and its environs. Governor Abiodun made the suggestion when he received the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, who paid him a courtesy call in his office at Oke-Mosan Abeokuta at the weekend. Abiodun also observed that water released from Cameroon contributed to the disaster He said: “We have identified some immediate causes. We have the Oyan Dam, and it is being overseen by the Ogun-Osun River…

As part of efforts aimed at further improving the state’s educational system, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has approved the immediate disbursement of N497 million for the payment of the 2023 WAEC examination fees for students enrolled in the state’s public schools. The disbursement is also in realisation of the administration’s recent pledge to provide free education from primary to secondary school level within Kogi State’s public schools, underscoring the government’s unwavering commitment to implementing the “Zero Out-of-School Policy” in the state. A statement on Saturday, 4 November, 2023, signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Muhammed…

By O’seun Ogunseitan Those bent on misleading Nigerians that today’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered a luxury ‘Presidential Yacht’, will not tell the world that retired Gen Olusegun Obasanjo who knew of the existence of the Yacht even as military President decades earlier, ordered the Navy to convert the Yacht to a Special Naval Gun Boat after he became civilian President in 1999. Some 20 years ago, the Nigerian Navy successfully converted the old ‘Presidential Yacht’ to a Special Gun Boat. The Yacht was bought decades earlier, back in the days when coastal Lagos Island, served as Nigeria’s capital, for…

Fiery critic and Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, has warned that if Nigeria does not settle the issue of “bread and butter mentality”, her democracy could actually look like lottery. The cleric also expressed pity on Nigerians who, because of many troubles, hardly travel out of their immediate environments. Kukah stated these on Friday, 3 November, 2023, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, in his keynote address with the theme, “The Nigerian Question: Survival of the Federation in The Throes of Increasing Economic Challenges”, at the 3rd Annual National Public Lecture of the FirstNews Online Newspaper. He however…

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (CON) on Friday, 3 November, 2023, inaugurated three top officials of the government, with Prof. Mamman Saba Jibril returning as the Secretary to the State Government. The Governor swore-in Prince AbdulKadir Aliyu Mahe, who was until Friday afternoon the SSG, as the new Chief of Staff (CoS). The Governor similarly inaugurated Barrister Murtala Sambo as the Special Adviser on Legal Matters, the position he occupied until May 29, 2023 when the last dispensation wound down. The Governor urged the new officials to be people-centric as they embarked on their official duties. His words: “The tasks…

Popular gospel act, Queen Busola Oke Eleyele is set to release a new album for the approaching yuletide season. According to the act, the new album is strictly gospel with a collaboration track with the title Adaba, done with trending gospel act, Alayo Melody. She mentioned that the track Adaba of the new album was released on July 23rd, being her birthday while the entire album will be released next month. Titled Igba Ope, (Bowl of Praise) and Adaba, being the collaboration track, is the fifth track on the coming album. “Adaba is special to me because of the way…

By Rosemary Moribirin Since his assumption of office as the Chief of Air Staff about 140 days, Air Marshal (AM) Hassan Bala Abubakar have been marked by significant accomplishments, underscoring his commitment to transforming the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and fortifying the nation’s security. Born on September 11, 1970, hailing from Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State, his journey from enlisting in the NAF as a member of Nigerian Defence Academy Regular Course 39 to becoming a commissioned Pilot Officer on September 19, 1992, epitomises a career of dedication and excellence. Appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on June…

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, on Thursday commissioned the corporate Head Office and Training Academy of the hospitality conglomerate, Genesis Group Limited, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The NCDMB boss lauded the firm for being the leading provider of catering services for major oil and gas companies in the country and employing over 2,500 persons across its various operations. The firm’s footprints include operating seven standard hotels across the nation, managing 30 restaurants in eight states and operating 12 cinemas. Wabote highlighted the specialization and expertise that are required…

The second edition of “NBA Meets Art”, an invite-only evening reception bringing together industry leaders from fashion, music, art, business, and sports, will hold in Lagos on Saturday, November 4, 2023. The event, curated to celebrate the game of basketball through the lens of Nigerian art and culture, will hold at the Balmoral Convention Centre at Federal Palace Hotel. Hosted by NBA Africa, the event will put on display Nigerian artist, Dennis Osadebe’s Basketball-inspired installation as the headlining spectacle. Set to hold as part of the widely-followed Art X Lagos which holds between November 4 and 5, the installation on…

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has sought the assistance of the United States government for the agenda on food security of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration. He made the request when he met with Mr Cary Fowler, U.S Special Envoy for Global Food Security, as part of his schedules in the United States of America. Specifically, VP Shettima identified key areas where Nigeria would require urgent support, saying “we seek the support of the United States Government, be it technical or otherwise, towards addressing challenges in our agricultural sector.” The Vice President continued: “Mechanization is absolutely essential, good…

The father of Charles Erukaa, a popular television presenter and on-air-personality with Channels TV has reportedly died in the den of kidnappers in Benue State, reports thegazellenews.com. He was aged 80. Charles’ father, Washima Erukaa was also the former Chairman of Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State. He was kidnapped on Saturday, 23 September, 2023 in Zaki Biam, headquarters of the local government but died after over one month with his abductors. What made the death so painful was that the Erukaa family had paid ransom for his release four times to the kidnappers. According to the Sun News,…