Author: Abimbola Ogunnaike

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has told Nigerians not to pay for electricity distribution infrastructures such as transformers, cables or poles. NERC, which stated this through a statement it shared alongside a video on its X handles on Tuesday, 9 June, 2024, added that consumers should not be coerced into purchasing transformers, cables, or poles, as this responsibility lies squarely with the distribution companies. “Is your distribution company expecting you to buy transformers, cables, or poles? Don’t! It is the DisCo’s obligation, not yours!” NERC stated emphatically. The regulatory body urged consumers to report any coercion or delays in…

Former Liverpool striker, Roberto Firmino, has joined pastorhood, announcing his ordination as an evangelical pastor at the age of 32 at his hometown. The Brazilian footballer shared the news on his social media accounts, revealing a significant transition in his life. Firmino, alongside his wife, was ordained as a pastor at the church they founded three years ago. The dedication ceremony took place Sunday, 7 July, 2024 in his hometown of Maceio. In a heartfelt message, Firmino expressed that becoming a pastor was not an initial goal, but a mission that emerged from his encounter with Christ. “Since our encounter…

The Chessi community in Kulani District of Balanga Local Government Area in Gombe State is currently battling an outbreak of an unidentified disease, which has claimed 12 lives in 12 and over 50 residents hospitalised. Medical doctors, Israel James and Yakubu Maina, who made this disclosure while briefing newsmen, explained that the disease is not cholera. According to the duo, blood and water samples have been taken to determine the nature of the illness. “Currently, more than 30 patients are bedridden with symptoms including severe headaches, high fever, jaundice, and stomach pain.” The doctors said, just as they advised the community…

One Jelili Kareem, a herb seller; Oludayo Oludele, a commercial motorcyclist; and Muyiwa Awodeji, an electrician; have been sentenced to death by hanging by an Osun State High Court sitting in Ile-Ife, on Tuesday, 9 July, 2024 for killing a corps member, Mukaila Adebayo, during a robbery operation in Osogbo, the state capital. The three men had on 28 January, 2020, in the Omo West Area of Osogbo allegedly conspired to rob Adebayo, who at the time, was observing a one-year mandatory service for graduates, of his mobile phone, recharge cards and other valuables, before killing him. The offences committed…

An officer of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC), Olukayode Dayo, has been sentenced to life jail by an Ekiti State High Court, Ado Ekiti Division, on Tuesday, 9 June, 2024 for raping a minor. The 39-year-old officer was arraigned on May 13, 2022 on a count charge of rape. The charge read, “That Olukayode Dayo on December 25, 2021 at Ado Ekiti did rape a 13 years old girl. The offence is contrary to Section 31(2) of the Child’s Rights Law, Cap. C7, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.” In her statement to the police, the victim who was…

Despite battling a rare neurological disorder known as stiff-person syndrome, Canadian music legend, Celine Dion, has reportedly been offered a prestigious opportunity to perform at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics despite the progression of her illness, Metro UK reports. The iconic 56-year-old artiste known for her powerful voice, revealed she’d been diagnosed with the progressive neurological condition – that affects the muscles, causing stiffness and spasms – in 2022. In spite of this, Celine has previously expressed her eagerness to return to live performances, which have been a cornerstone of her career. According to sources close to the…

This is indeed good news for women in politics in Nigeria as a bill seeking the creation of 74 seats for them in the federal parliament passed a second reading in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, 9 June, 2024. The bill sponsored by Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu and 12 others, seeks to alter Sections 48, 49, 71, and 117 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to create one “Special seat reserved exclusively for women in the Senate and House of Representatives for each state of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory .” The bill proposes to take effect…

From Chuks Collins, Awka Coming very closely on the heels of his formal reception of thousands of members of other political party members who decamped and moved into the All Progressives Congress (APC) two days ago because of him, Chief Paul Chukwuma on Tuesday afternoon, 9 July, 2024 inaugurated his campaign’s Manifesto Committee. He also used the well-attended colourful event to formally present a 2024 model of Toyota Hiace luxury bus, together with the documents and the keys to the Youth Leader of the party in the State, amidst tumultuous cheers by bigwigs and supporters of the party in the…

Palpable fears have seized the local folks of Oko village in Ideani, Idemili North Local Government of Anambra State over what they described as “subterranean and covert moves by some unscrupulous land speculators, grabbers (names withheld) allegedly aided by top officials of the Anambra State Boundary Commission, masking under various guises to cajole, intimidate, manipulate and harass the villagers into giving up ancestral lands inherited from forebears out of fears.” In a strongly worded petition to the Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, the security agencies, the Anambra State Assembly, and the traditional ruler of Abatete in concert with the…

A major drug cartel behind the production and distribution of deadly psychoactive substance, methamphetamine, popularly called ‘mkpuru mmiri’ has been taken down by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), following the arrest of the leader of the syndicate, 42-year-old Joachin Chikaodi Mbonu and his associate in his mansion tucked in his Umuomi village, Uzogba-Ezenomi autonomous community, Ikeduru local government area of Imo State. The cartel with operational bases in Imo and Rivers state became a target of the Agency following intelligence indicating it is responsible for the distribution of substantial quantity of methamphetamine in South East, South…

It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we received the news of the sudden passing of Officer Keji Bakare, a dedicated, dependable, and hardworking member of our party. Officer Keji was a steadfast champion of good causes, a powerful advocate for the youth and women in our community, and a true believer in the democratic values of progress. She worked tirelessly to ensure the sustainable advancement of the All Progressives Congress, Agboyi-Ketu Chapter. During this difficult time, I call upon all members and supporters of our party, particularly the ‘Agboyi-Ketu APC Babes’, to remain strong as we honor…

This is indeed good news for skilled Nigerian Workers Seeking to secure permanent residency in Canada as the country’s immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 920 invitations to candidates seeking permanent residency through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) via the Express Entry system. This latest draw required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 739, underscoring Canada’s commitment to attracting skilled workers from around the globe to support its diverse and vibrant economy. This draw follows another on June 19, 2024, in which 1,499 invitations were issued under the PNP, with a lower minimum CRS score of…

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Ogun I Area Command, Idiroko on Monday, 8 July, 2024 disclosed that it made seizures of contrabands with duty paid value of N770,666,237 between April and June 2024. The command also generated N92,369,227 as revenue within these three months with about a 52.46% increase when compared to the N53,983,622.00 recorded in the corresponding period of 2023. This is just as the agency also surpassed the monthly revenue target of N34,122,666.90 in June 2024 by 77.86%. The Controller of the command, Comptroller James Ojo, made this disclosure during a briefing held in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital…

Nigeria Customs Service Comptroller General, Adewale Adeniyi, has laid the foundation for the construction of state-of-the-art 30-bed ultramodern hospital valued at N500 million at Zone D Headquarters, Bauchi. The medical edifice is being sponsored by the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative under its Security Sector Support Grant at the Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘D’ Headquarters, Bauchi. The groundbreaking, which was held on Monday, 8 July, 2024 is coming after the presentation of letters of award to Nigeria’s security agencies in December 2022 by the MD/CEO of ASR Africa, Dr. Ubon Udoh. The NCS Comptroller General thanked the chairman of ASR…

In other to achieving food security and economic stability in the country, the Federal Government has announced the suspension of duties, tariffs, and taxes on some essential food items imported through land and sea borders. The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, made this disclosure during a press briefing at the National Press Centre, Abuja on Monday, 8 July, 2024. Kyari disclosed that the listed food items, which include maize, wheat, husked brown rice, and cowpeas, will enjoy a 150-day Duty-Free Import Window. He added that the move is part of the Presidential Accelerated Stabilization and Advancement Plan,…

The Pro-Wike Rivers State House of Assembly lawmakers, led by Martin Amaewhule, have given the state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara a 7-day deadline to resubmit the 2024 budget. This order was issued during the first session of the lawmakers on Monday, 8 July, 2024 after a hiatus of several months. Meanwhile, a parallel session is being held by the House faction led by Victor Oko-Jumbo. Fubara had previously presented the budget to the other House loyal to him, with his current Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, presiding as Speaker. Ehie and the pro-Fubara lawmakers passed the budget estimates, which the governor…

Super Eagles striker Kayode Olarenwaju has urged a Federal Capital Territory (FCT)High Court in Abuja to dissolve his marriage to his estranged wife, Ezinne, stating that it has broken down irretrievably. The European-based footballer, who is also seeking custody of their children, urged the court to order UK-based pastor Tobi Adegboyega to pay him ₦1 billion in damages for the emotional trauma, financial loss, and loss of goodwill caused by his “adulterous affair” with Ezinne. Recall that Olarenwaju and Ezinne have been engaged in a marital battle following allegations of infidelity, among other issues. The matter took another twist when…

At least four persons, including a woman and her child, have been reportedly killed by trees that fell on them at the popular Jattu market in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State. Several others, including traders and shoppers, sustained various degrees of injuries in the incident. It was gathered that about four trees fell simultaneously on traders and customers in the market following a heavy morning downpour on the morning of Monday, 8 July, 2024 morning. It was gathered that a mother and her child were among the victims. The Chairman of the Local Government, Marvellous Zibiri, who…

Terrorists, who disguised in women’s Abaya (dress) attacked Runka community in Katsina State over the weekend and kidnapped 26 persons — mostly women and children. A local said the terrorists invaded the community at about 10.30 p.m., shooting sporadically. “In my house alone they abducted 10 females and two males .In total, they abducted 26 people from the community,” he said, attributing the attack to the nefarious activities of informants who collaborated with the hoodlums to sabotage government efforts in fighting the terrorists. “The informants include even those in our community. One of the terrorists was even heard exchanging pleasantries…

An Indian man, Santosh Lohar bit a snake to death in retaliation after the reptile attacked him during a nap. The 35-year-old from Panduka, Kharkhand in India, had been sleeping when the reptile attacked him. This prompted him to take the unusual tactic of quickly grabbing the reptile with an iron rod and biting it twice. Work was underway to lay railway lines in a forested area when the attack occurred at the labourer’s base camp. When Lohar was asked why he bit the snake back, the man told India Today: “In my village, there’s a belief that if a snake…