Author: Abimbola Ogunnaike

The Nigeria Police Force, on Monday, 2 September, 2024 declared a British national, Andrew Wynne, also known as Andrew Povich, and a Nigerian, Lucky Obiyan, wanted for allegedly plotting to overthrow the democratically elected government in the country. The police accused the British national of building a network of sleeper cells to topple the government and plunge the nation into chaos. Addressing journalists in Abuja, the Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, said Wynne rented a space at Labour House and established a school to serve as a decoy. “The Nigeria Police Force has launched a comprehensive investigation into the activities of…

Nigerians are yet to see the end of the Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) crisis as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, blamed supply cost for fuel scarcity. The spokesperson of NNPCL, Soneye Olufemi, who disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday, 1 September, 2024, however, said it is committed to the role of the PMS supplier of last resort and to ensuring national energy security. The firm’s comments come amid a report that its piled-up debt of $6 billion is the reason for fuel scarcity and the product supply hiccups. Reacting to the report, NNPCL admitted to facing financial…

Nigeria’s Letter of Credit payments, used for goods importation dropped by 57.04 percent to $391.91 million in the last seven months of 2024 compared to $912.35 million in the same period of 2023. This is contained in CBN’s weekly data on international payments released on its website. Analysis of the data showed that in the period under review, the country’s LC payment declined by about $520.44 million. Accordingly, the highest LC payments in the year so far were recorded in February at $102.59m, followed by July at $79.65m and $58.33m in January Also, in March, LCs payments stood at $43.53m…

The Kogi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said on Sunday, 1 September, 2024 it has returned, rebranded and rejuvenated, with a commitment to constructively engage the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state. The newly inaugurated state Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Tijani Aruwa, who stated this while addressing newsmen in Lokoja, kogi State capital, emphasised that PDP is ready to provide a viable opposition to APC, to ensure that the state is not dominated by a single party. Aruwa appealed to members who defected to APC, Social Democratic Party(SDP), Labour Party(LP), and African Democratic Congress(ADC), to return to…

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has disclosed that it has the capacity to transmit 6,000mw of electricity to distribution load centres nationwide. The Managing Director of TCN, Mr Sule Abdulaziz, who said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday, 1 September, 2024, said that in the last three years, TCN had upgraded several sub-stations. According to Abdulaziz, the company had also built new sub-stations funded through its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and donor agencies. The TCN boss said that the company had installed new transformers to ensure an increase in capacity. “TCN…

Kaduna State Government earned N171.7 billion and spent N164.6 billion, representing a half-year budget performance of 37.48 per cent and 35.92 per cent of the N48 billion approved budget for the year, respectively. The state realised N27.4bn, representing 22 per cent of the targeted N120bn Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in 2024. The Commissioner for Planning and Budget Commission, Ahmed Mukhtar Monrovia, made the disclosure during a presentation to the estimates committee members on Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) figures and other key issues on the preparation of the 2025-2027 budget. According to Monrovia, the statutory allocation expected in the state for…

The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State has slammed the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), for raising questions concerning the tractor procurement by the state government. Recall that in August, the state government purchased some tractors which it has designated for the revitalisation of agriculture in the state. The party in a statement on Sunday, 1 September, 2024 signed by the Deputy Director, Media and Publicity, James Bamgbose described the comments from the APC as lacking understanding on basic rudiments of government. The party also described the reaction from the Osun APC as a vindication of the rejection of the…

The Kebbi State Independent Electoral Commission(KESIEC), on Sunday, 1 September, 2024 declared the All Progressives Congress( APC), as the winner of all the positions contested in Saturday’s local council polls in the state. Chairman of the Commission, Alhaji Aliyu Muhammad-Mera, who announced the results in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday,1 September, 2024 said the party won all the 21 chairmanship and 225 councillorship seats. According to Muhammad-Mera, 17 political parties participated in the polls, including APC, NNPP, LP, AAC, Boot party, AP and SDP, among others. He announced that the Commission had ratified and adopted the chairmanship results for the LGAs…

Operatives of the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 48 suspected internet fraudsters in Umudike, Abia State. They recovered items such as 12 exotic cars, 15 different brands of laptops and 68 expensive smartphones. The commission which disclosed the arrest of the suspects in a post via the commission’s official X handle on Tuesday, 2 September, 2024, they were arrested at different locations within Umudike following actionable intelligence on their suspected involvement in internet fraud. The commission also revealed that the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

Famous Nigerian R&B music star, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has finally opened up, saying she’s open to marriage. Unlike many celebrities who have publicly ruled out marriage, the 29-year-old Grammy-winning singer said she’s hoping to see what the future holds. Tems made this disclosure while appearing in a recent episode of the ‘Shopping The Sneakers’ podcast. The host asked, “Are you going to get married one day?” After dilly-dallying, Tems said, “Yeah. We will see.” Tems, who is not publicly known to be in any romantic relationship, was once rumoured that she was pregnant for American rapper, Future, but she swiftly…

Famous Nigerian international music superstar, Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has donated the sum of N105 million to Christ Embassy Church, Benin City, Edo State. Rema, who donated to the Edo Regional Headquarters of the church, located at Erediauwa Street off Ekenwa Road, said it was in appreciation of the church’s support for his family during a difficult period in his childhood. The world famous singer, who was at the church for a thanksgiving service, recounted the role the church played in his family’s life after the loss of his father when he was just eight years old. “I…

Residents of Makwarari quarters in the Kano metropolis are presently in a mourning mood after a one-storey building collapsed, killing a 35-year-old woman, Balarabe Tijjani and injuring two of her children. It was gathered that the building collapsed on Friday, 30 August, 2024 following a downpour in the area which lasted for many hours on the night of Thursday, 29 August 2024 through the morning of Friday, 30 August, 2024 According to a resident, the mother and her two children: Abdulnasir and Abdallah, aged 11 and 13 respectively; were rescued and rushed to Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital but the mother succumbed to her…

Victor Osimhen’s move from Napoli to Chelsea on transfer deadline has failed to materialize and he has no option but to stay at the club. The Nigeria international had been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge on deadline day but the parties were unable to reach an agreement, leaving the 25-year-old in a difficult position. According to Italian sports journalist, Fabrizio Romano, negotiations between Napoli and Chelsea broke down late in the window. “No agreement between Victor Osimhen and Chelsea even after a new proposal was presented two hours ago. Deal completely off for Victor Osimhen. No agreement with…

The Ogun State Government has announced the revocation of the provisional licences of some private orphanage owners operating in the state due to non-compliance with regulations and laws prioritising the well-being and safety of vulnerable children. The state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Adijat Adeleye, announced this during a meeting with private orphanage owners, at the ministry in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, the state capital. Adeleye expressed displeasure over some private orphanage owners’ activities, noting that the state would not tolerate shady practices involving adoption, child trafficking or maltreatment of children. The commissioner emphasised that orphanages should operate with empathy…

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has announced the promotion of 684 senior police officers. Head, Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, who announced the development in a statement, said the decision to approve the promotion of senior officers took place during the first preliminary meeting with the new Chairman of PSC in Abuja. According to him, the meeting presided over by the Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu (rtd), had in attendance, DIG Taiwo Lakanu, (rtd), Commissioner and Chief Onyemuche Nnamani, Secretary to the Commission. It said eight Commissioners of Police were elevated to the rank of Assistant Inspectors…

The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested three suspects involved in Automated Teller Machine, ATM, swap in the state. The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, who confirmed the development in a statement in Kaduna on Friday, 30 August, 2024, also disclosed that the police also recovered 54 ATM cards with a Point of Sale machine, POS. “On August 27, at about 23:00 hours, following a credible intelligence, police operatives nab three suspects involved in ATM Card Swap Fraud, through a well-coordinated operation,” he said. Hassan said the suspects included, Umar Ya’u of Zoo Road Kano, Abdullahi Bukar of Tudun…

Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) has condemned the brutal murder of the Emir of Gobir, His Royal Highness Alhaji Isa Bawa by bandits in Sokoto State The association in a statement signed by its National President, Hon. Khalil Mohammed Bello called on President Bola Tinubu, the Defence Minister, and the National Security Adviser to urgently consider the association’s proposed roadmap for resolving the conflicts in the North West region. Bello said the tragic event, where the Emir was kidnapped and killed despite a ransom payment of over N60 million, stands as a grave concern for all Nigerians,…

The Supervising Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Abimbola Bowale, has reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s commitment to the welfare of nurses. He gave this assurance at the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board Nurses Assembly 2024, held at the NANNM House in Ikeja, themed “Our Nurses, Our Future: The Economic Power of Care.” In his address, Dr. Bowale highlighted the pivotal role nurses play in the healthcare system, acknowledging their unwavering dedication and tireless efforts in ensuring the well-being of Lagos State residents. He emphasized that their contributions are critical to advancing the state’s…

A total of $1.6million has been provided by the Economic Community Of West African States State (ECOWAS) Commission and the World Food Program (WFP) to fight the rising malnutrition and poverty in Katsina and Sokoto brought about by surge in banditry and internally displacement in the North West. Donation of palliative to the North West by the WFP is expected to increase to the troubled North West region as a total of 500O metric tonne of wheat donated by the Ukrainian government is scheduled to be received at the weekend. The Deputy Head of Programme WFP, Manuela Reinfield made the…

In fulfillment of his promise, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday, 30 August, 2024, paid compensation to victims of the Docemo Fire Incident at Idumagbo Avenue by Tom Jones in the Lagos Island area of the State. He said the payment of the compensation is a testament to his administration’s commitment to supporting those affected by the fire disaster. It will be recalled that the Docemo fire incident, which razed down many buildings and destroyed properties worth millions of Naira, occurred on April 9 due to suspected fuel storage. Governor Sanwo-Olu visited the Docemo Market on April 11…