Author: Abimbola Ogunnaike

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Iran’s First Vice President, Mohammad Mokhber, is expected to assume the presidency after Ebrahim Raisi’s death in a helicopter crash as the country gears up for early elections. The Iranian constitution stipulates that the First Vice President takes over “in the event of the president’s death, dismissal, resignation, absence or illness for more than two months”. Raisi, who died on Sunday, 19 May, 2024 along with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and other officials, was nearing the end of his first four-year term as president. Mokhber’s interim appointment requires the approval of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei,…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Gunmen killed two soldiers stationed at an outpost in Aba, Abia State just as they also shot dead a commercial tricycle operator. Eyewitnesses, including a tricycle operator named Chima Ibekanma, recounted the panic and chaos that ensued during the attack, saying one soldier died instantly and another succumbed to injuries at the hospital. The incident, it was gathered, disrupted business activities in the area, with luxury bus operators unable to load passengers due to security measures imposed by the military. The incident occurred less than a year after a similar attack on a military outpost in Aba,…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo, on Monday, 20 May, 2024 thrown out the request by terrorist negotiator, Mohammed Tukur Mamu, for his transfer from the custody of the Department of the State Service (DSS), to Kuje Prison in Abuja. Mamu is standing trial for terrorism offences slammed on him by the Federal Government and had been in DSS custody following the refusal of the court to admit him to bail. Justice Ekwo, while delivering the latest ruling, said the Federal Government had raised the issues of incessant jail breaks…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has asked all banks to stop the implementation of 0.5 per cent cyber-security levy after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive on its suspension. The withdrawal was disclosed in a notice dated Friday, 17 May, 2024, signed by Chibuzo Efobi, CBN’s Director of Payment System Management, and Haruna Mustapha, Director of the Financial Policy and Regulatory Department. Recall that on May 6, the Apex Bank ordered the implementation of a cyber-security levy, which required all banks and financial institutions to charge a 0.5 per cent levy on all electronic transactions. However, the levy was…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The United kingdom (UK), has stated that only international students coming in for their Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) studies were eligible to bring in dependents to the country. The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, made this disclosure during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, 5 May, 2024 in Abuja, Nigeria’s seat of power. According to Montgomery, the educational system policy changed earlier this year for international students in higher education not to bring dependents into the UK was to curb the increase of foreign students bringing in dependents. The envoy…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike A federal jury in Camden, New Jersey, has convicted a Nigerian couple – Isiaka and Bolaji Bolarinwa aged 67 and 50 years old respectively for forced labour in the United States and other related crimes with possible 20 years imprisonment. The couple, residing in Burlington County, used coercive scheme to force two people in engaging in domestic labour. The jury also found the couple guilty of two counts of forced labour, one count of sheltering a stranger for financial gain and two counts of document servitude. According to a press release by the US Department of Justice,…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Following Chelsea’s 5-0 triumph over West Ham United on Sunday, 5 May, 2024, manager Mauricio Pochettino expressed his aspirations for European contention, emphasizing its significance for the team and players this season. Reflecting on the match during his post-game press conference, Pochettino highlighted the team’s dedication to securing a place in Europe, underlining its importance for the club’s growth and development. A brace from Nicolas Jackson and a goal each from Cole Palmer, Conor Gallagher and Noni Madueke gave Chelsea the win over West Ham at Stamford Bridge. “I don’t want to say nothing because from the…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike President Bola Tinubu has given the assurance that his administration would continue to put in place policies for the industrialisation of the country to the benefits of Nigerians. According to a statement issued by the presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu disclosed this when he received a delegation of the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers and the Nigerian Automotive Manufacturers Association. The President, represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, met the members, led by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ms Doris Uzoka-Anite, on Friday, 3 May, 2024 in Abuja. He urged the delegation to…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Lagos State Government has disclosed that it would remove over 100 shanties at Adeniji Adele under bridge from Monday, 6 May, 2024. The state Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, made this disclosure during an interview with newsmen on Sunday, 5 May, 2024. “The Lagos State Government will undertake enforcement action to remove over 100 shanties at Adeniji Adele underbridge from tomorrow, Monday, 6th of May, 2024. “The removal is coming after the expiration of a 48-hour removal notice served on all occupants of the shanties to move with their belongings,” Wahab…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Federal Government on Tuesday, 30 April, 2024 flagged off commercial train operations on the Port Harcourt-Aba rail line for use by members of the public. The commencement of the train service has previously been postponed twice. But the Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Alkali, performed the commencement of commercial services on the 62.0 kilometre Port-Harcourt -Aba corridor at the Railway Station in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, 30 April, 2024. Alkali said the ceremony was part of the intensified drive by the Federal Government to facilitate trade, enhance mobility and accessibility, and ensure connectivity between the southern…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike A suspected fraudster, Henry Odep, has explained how he made N460,000 from hacking the FCT Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Olusola Odumosu’s Facebook account. Odep, one of two brothers arrested for cybercrime by the NSCDC, made the confession when they were paraded during a press conference held in Abuja on Tuesday, 30 May, 2024. Recall that in September 2023, the NSCDC FCT Command issued a public alert regarding a fake Facebook account operating in his name. Henry Odep and his brother, Emanuel Odep from Cross River State, were apprehended for cyber fraud…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Real Madrid defender, Antonio Rudiger, has revealed his favourite musical artiste. The former Chelsea player said the Grammy-winning Nigerian Afrobeats star, Wizkid, is his favourite musician. Rudiger made this disclosure in a recent interview with Le Media Carre. The German international declared that Wizkid, holds the top spot in his list of favorite musicians. Interviewer: “Who is your favourite artiste?” Rudiger: “My favourite artist is Wizkid.”

By Abimbola Ogunnaike A Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) sitting in Abuja, presided over by Saratu Shafii, on Monday, 29 April, 2024 restrained MultiChoice Nigeria Limited from increasing its tariffs and cost of products and services scheduled to begin on May 1. Shafii, who headed the three-member tribunal, gave the interim order following an ex-parte motion moved by Ejiro Awaritoma, counsel for the applicant, Festus Onifade. The tribunal, in a ruling, restrained Multi-Choice from going ahead with an impending price increase scheduled to take effect from May 1, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has increased the minimum wage for workers in the state from to N70,000. Obaseki announced this on Monday, 29 April, 2024 during the inauguration of the newly built ultra-modern Labour House secretariat complex for labour unions in the state. The building located at Temboga, Ikpoba Hill in Benin City is named after a former Governor of the State and former NLC President, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. “As a result of the cordial relationship between the Edo State Government and labour unions in the state, we have enjoyed peace and industrial harmony in Edo…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress,(APC) Dr Abdulahi Ganduje, on Monday, 29 April, 2024 begged Nigerians to be patient with President Bola Tinubu as he struggles to rebuild the economy following years of neglect, ill decisions and policy somersaults of the previous administrations. Ganduje made the appeal when he received the leaders of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) from the 36 states of the federation, at the national secretariat of the APC in Abuja. The delegation of PWDs, who came on a solidarity visit to reassure the embattled national chairman of their commitment, further passed…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Gunmen in the early hours of Monday, 29 April, 2024 in Delta State abducted a singer, Goodnews Emuemu, popularly called Gnewzy on his way back from a show. According to the singer’s manager, Obas9ice, who was also in the vehicle when the incident happened, they were accosted on Eklat Road in the Ughelli area of the state by some armed men who were dressed in police uniform. Shortly after the singer, who is signed to Eric Many Records, was whisked away, the kidnappers were said to have sent an email to the record label, seeking a ransom…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed former Super Eagles winger, Finidi George, as the new head coach of the Senior Male National Football Team, Super Eagles. The announcement came in a statement issued on Monday, 29 April, 2024 with the NFF Board approving the recommendation of its Technical and Development Committee to hand over the team to the 52-year-old former Ajax Amsterdam and Real Betis forward. Finidi George, who spent 20 months as an assistant to José Santos Peseiro, had been serving as the interim coach after the Portuguese tactician’s departure following the Super Eagles’ impressive…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike South-South leaders recently urged Nigerians not to work in the shadow of individuals and groups spreading lies. They also heaped praises on the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio for the tremendous work he is doing for Nigeria. “Senator Godswill Akpabio is a gifted leader, a man of integrity and conviction” The leaders in a statement in Port Harcourt advised Nigerians not to award certificate of merits to people working against the country’s ruling party. “The move to discredit the leadership of the Senate by concocting lies will only damage the reputation of critics and expose their sinister…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori warned traditional rulers against protecting any of their subjects involved in the killing of 17 military personnel in Okuama community of Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state. The Oborevwori gave the warning while addressing the monarchs on the incident at the State Traditional Rulers’ Council Secretariat in Asaba, on Thursday, 21 March, 2024. Oborevwori who lamented the gruesome murder of the military personnel, warned that no kingdom should conceal the perpetrators. The governor added that he would not watch the state become a lawless domain, adding that Delta is being…