Author: Abimbola Ogunnaike

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the federal government and its law enforcement agencies to prepare for next protest rather than work at stopping it and criminalizing those organising the planned nationwide protest scheduled for October 1. The Commission, while stating that protest is an expression of one of the human rights that is international recognized, insisted that since the government has been given enough notice, it is the duty of law enforcement agencies to ensure that strategies are put in place to prevent hoodlums do not hijack it and criminality is checked against during the period of…

The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is providing more than $6.5 million to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to address flood-related humanitarian needs across Nigeria. According to a statement on Thursday, 5 September, 2024 by the Development Outreach and Communications Team of USAID, the funding is part of USAID’s Fiscal Year 2024 support and will enable local partners to respond to flooding and other disasters. The statement revealed that IOM is allocating $3 million to address flood-related humanitarian needs across the country. Flooding has affected over 619,000 people in 29 Nigerian states since mid-August,…

President Bola Tinubu on Friday, 6 September, 2024, in Beijing rounded off his official engagements in China by meeting with Nigerians living in the country, describing his visit as “very good and successful.” Addressing members of Nigerians in Diaspora Organization in China (NIDO China) and the Nigerian community at the China World Hotel, the President emphasized his efforts to strengthen cooperation in infrastructure, trade, finance, energy, green economy and mining during his discussions with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and his participation at the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). “What is uppermost in my mind…

The co-Chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, has said that Nigeria’s Value Added Tax is among the lowest worldwide. Gates disclosed this on Tuesday, 3 September, 2024 during the Nutrivision 2024, dialogue held in Abuja while responding to a question on potential financing mechanisms for large-scale public health interventions. According to him, there are plans for the government to fund more health-related programmes. “Over time, there are plans for Nigeria to fund the government more than it does today. The actual tax collection in Nigeria is pretty low,” he said. This comes as Bill Gates participated in Nigeria’s National…

Greek giants, Olympiacos FC has signed a Nigerian youngster Taiye Abdulateef on a four-year. The striker joined Olympiacos from Unicorns Football Academy which is owned by Super Eagles and Nottingham Forest forward, Taiwo Awoniyi. Abdulateef will train with Olympiacos’ U-19 side from where he is expected to graduate to the first team. The young hitman is hopeful of making a big impact with the current UEFA Europa Conference League champions. “I hope to achieve as much success as possible and hopefully pave way for others at the Academy in Ilorin,” he said during his unveiling ceremony. Awoniyi stated:”We prioritise the right environment…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, it has disclosed that it has supplied Dangote refinery 30 million barrels of crude oil so far. NNPCL said it will still supply the refinery a total of 17.6 million barrels of crude oil between September and October. The Executive Vice President of NNPCL, Downstream, Adedapo Segun, disclosed this on the morning of Thursday, 5 September, 2024 in an interview on Arise Television. According to him, 6.3 million will be supplied to Dangote Refinery this month, and 11.3 million next month, adding that the supplies to Dangote are part of the Federal Government’s strategy…

Dangote Group on Thursday, 5 September, 2024 denied reports that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, (NNPCL), has started lifting fuel from its refinery. It was reported that NNPCL lifted petrol from Dangote Refinery and sold it for N897 per liter to Nigerians. The report comes amid the declaration by the Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, that the refinery is ready to commence production and sales of petroleum products. However, Anthony Chiejina, Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer of Dangote Group said NNPCL was yet to start lifting fuel from the refinery. In a statement he signed, Chiejina said:…

There was pandemonium at a filling station in Itori in Ogun State around 7:45 pm on Tuesday, 4 September, 2024 as a 29-year-old passenger, identified as Anuoluwapo Aderemi, reportedly collapsed and died in a commercial bus. Aderemi was said to be travelling on a commercial bus from Papalanto Motor Park in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State to Ibadan, Oyo State. The Ogun State Police Command Public Relations Officer , Odutola Omolola, who confirmed the sad incident, said the case was reported at the police station by the bus driver, Akeem Olorode. He said the driver was en route…

Popular Nigerian actress and television host, Kehinde Bankole, has revealed the only condition that would make her to accept nude role in a movie. Bankole made this disclosure during her viral interview on ‘Duke Rants’ podcast. In a now trending video, the actress was asked about how far she can go in acting. Responding to whether she would ever take a nude role, Bankole clarified that if only it is “intelligently required”. “I do not like that question because the answer would be taken out of context. This is the internet. After all, I will just say that I can…

Famous Veteran Nollywood actress, Joke Silva, has made public her last moments with late singer Onyeka Onwenu. Thegazellenews.com reports that singer Onyeka Onwenu died in July 2024, after she collapsed at the 80th birthday party of CEO of Emzor Pharmaceuticals, Stella Okolie. She was buried on Friday, 30 August, 2024 at the Ebony Vaults in the Ikoyi area of Lagos State. During her latest interview with media personality, WithChude, Joke Silva narrated her final moments with Onwenu. Silva, who witnessed the incident, disclosed that Onwenu died nearly two hours after she collapsed and not immediately. “We were at the party…

Famous Nollywood actress, Toyin Abraham has finally opened on why she took to social media recently media to plead for help from God, a call that sparked varied reactions from fans and friends. Recall that the actress social media in a distress call many users expressed worry about her well-being; some speculated that she might be feeling the effect of the new petrol pump price hike, slamming her for being a firm supporter of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Reacting to the concerns caused by the distress call she made, Abraham in a now viral video on Instagram, said it was…

Famous Nigerian Afrobeats super star, Ayra Starr has condemned the brutal murder of Idowu Christianah, a 300-level student of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) allegedly killed by her friend, Ayomide Adeleye, a suspected serial killer. Ayra Starr in a post via her official X page condemned the act and called for swift justice for the victim. The singer explained that  there is urgent need to address violence against women, adding that they deserve better protection and treatment. “Stop killing us! Stop raping us! Women deserve better #JusticeForChristianah,’ She wrote. Ayra Starr’s outcry follows revelations from an ongoing investigation…

Popular American pop star, Lady Gaga has opened up that it was her mom who introduced her to her fiancé, Michael Polansky. The 38-year-old singer disclosed in a recent interview with Vogue that her mom informed her that she had found a husband for her after meeting the 46-year-old. Gaga said she never imagined that it would be her mom who would find the “most perfect person” for her. Lady Gaga said “My mom met him and she said to me, ‘I think I just met your husband,’ and I said, ‘I’m not ready to meet my husband!’ I could…

Gunmen suspected to be bandits on the night of Wednesday, 4 September, 2024 at about 11:45 pm, attacked Magamar Jibia border town in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State, kidnapping at least three persons and leaving five others injured. A member of the Jibia Security Committee, who spoke to newsmen on Thursday, 5 September, 2024 said that the bandits overpowered the security personnel who were deployed to repel them. According to him, the hoodlums stormed the area on night of Wednesday, 4 September, 2024 shooting sporadically to scare the residents, most of whom were preparing to go to bed for sleep.…

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has disclosed the real reasons he brought the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, to contest for the governorship race in the state. Obaseki, who disclosed that he brought Ighodalo in because he needed a competent hand to pilot the affairs of the state, noting that electing an incompetent Governor would be a disservice to the people of Edo State. The Governor made this disclosure during PDP’s campaign in Etsako East Local Government Area of the state. The Governor explained that he also brought Ighodalo to continue the good works of his administration,…

Credit Direct Finance Company Limited (Credit Direct), the consumer finance arm of FCMB Group Plc and one of Nigeria’s leading digital-first non-bank financial services providers, recently concluded CD’Lympics—an exhilarating event designed to foster team spirit, celebrate valued customers, and showcase innovative products through the power of sport. The event proved to be more than just a sports event; it was a high-energy celebration that combined athletic competition, team bonding, and product showcases while honoring valued customers. “CD’Lympics is all about teamwork, fostering a strong culture of energetic people who work hard and play hard. I am grateful for everything Credit…

Vertiv (NYSE: VRT), a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions, has announced the appointment of Coscharis Technologies as a distribution partner in Nigeria and Ghana, with the aim of further providing customers convenient access to Vertiv’s IT infrastructure portfolio and expanding reach across Central Africa within the local IT channel. With an established history of more than 30 years, Coscharis Technologies, a subsidiary of the Coscharis Group – a wholly owned Nigerian conglomerate with businesses and interests that span across sectors including automotive, medical, food and beverages, IT, engineering and agriculture – is an authorised distributor of a wide…

Nigeria is committed towards achieving universal energy access by the year 2060 and is working with relevant stakeholders across board to realise this objective. The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu disclosed this in his remarks on Wednesday, 4 September, 2024, while addressing Chinese investors and business men at the 1st China-Nigeria Economic Cooperation and Trade Conference, Beijing 2024. The Minister was part of the entourage of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the ongoing Africa-China Cooperation Summit in Beijing, China. He said the country has a short-term target to attain 30GW of grid energy supply by 2030, and a long-term…

In a groundbreaking gathering, traditional leaders from across Nigeria converged to celebrate the nation’s rich cultural tapestry and address pressing social issues, including the scourge of drug abuse. The Royal Culture event, held on Sunday, 1 September, 2024, at the Bola Event Centre in Ifako-Ijaye, Lagos, was a resounding triumph, featuring enlightening presentations, prestigious awards, and recognition of outstanding individuals and royalty. The event, themed “The Nigeria’s Constitution and The Traditional Institutions in Nigeria,” was masterminded by the visionary Sarkin Samarin Yamma Development Initiative (SSY-DI), an organization dedicated to empowering traditional title holders to drive socioeconomic development and support government…

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has described as baseless, allegations of nepotism and favouritism in the appointment of its Directors, Commanders and other top officials. The agency in a statement on Thursday, 5 September, 2024, described as false, insinuations in some social media posts suggesting that appointments into high ranking positions are tilted in favour of Northern Muslims against Southern Christians. The statement read that: “For the benefit of the reading public, the agency will like to state as follows: “Out of the 20 Directors/ Commandant in NDLEA, 14 are Christians and 6 Muslims; of the 14 Zonal…