Author: Abimbola Ogunnaike

A 65-year-old cleric named Francis Ogu, was on Wednesday, 10 July, 2024 docked in the Children, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Offences Court in Awka, Anambra State capital for allegedly defiling his 10-year-old domestic worker. The police charged Ogu, who resides at Umuike village in Awka, with defilement. The Prosecution Counsel, Insp Chinyere Okechukwu, told the court that the accused committed the offence on June 27 at his residence. Okechukwu, who alleged that the accused sexually exploited the minor, said the offence contravened the provisions of Section 35(2) of the Child Right Law of Anambra State, 2004. The accused, however, pleaded…

By Mark Longyen Plateau State has been thrown into political panic mode following a subterranean move by Plateau South Senatorial District’s constituents to recall former Gov Simon Lalong, APC-Plateau South; from the Senate. Also penciled for recall by the aggrieved constituents are Lalong’s former Chief of Staff, John Dafaan, APC-Shendam, Quaan-Pan, Mikang; and Vincent Venman, APC-Langtang North/South Federal Constituencies. Impeccable sources disclosed that within the past week, over 500,000 constituents had already appended their signatures to initiate the recall of the trio from the National Assembly. It was learned that about a fortnight ago, the forms for the recall of…

PressOne Africa is set to make waves at Lagos Startup Week with its revolutionary phone systems designed to empower ambitious Nigerian businesses. Anticipation is high as the innovative telecommunications firm prepares to showcase its cutting-edge solutions that promise to elevate Nigerian businesses to world-class standards. At the core of PressOne Africa’s exhibition is their advanced business phone system. Unlike traditional SIM cards tied to physical devices, PressOne’s business phone system offers unparalleled flexibility and significant cost savings. Its seamless integration across multiple devices streamlines operations, while the ability to handle concurrent inbound calls, ensures no customer is left unattended. The…

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has sealed 46 Facilities in 10 states of the Federation for various forms of environmental violations. The enforcement exercise was carried out in Borno, Gombe, Ogun, Enugu, Edo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Nasarawa and Taraba States. According to a statement on Friday by the spokesperson of the agency, Amaka Ejiofor, the facilities were shut down for refusing to comply with the provisions of the National Environmental Regulations. Their offences include Violation of the Environmental Impact Assessment Act, lack of Environmental Audit Report, and failure to develop and implement an Environmental Management Plan.…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike A member of the House of Representatives from Oyo State is dead, reports thegazellenews.com  He is Olajide Akinremi, popularly known as Jagaban. Thegazellenews.com reports that the late Lawmaker until his death represents Ibadan North Federal Constituency in the House on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He passed on early Wednesday, 10 July, 2024, but cause of his death remain unknown at the time of writing this report. However thegazellenews.com reports that he was in his 50s. As it is the tradition of the National Assembly, plenary and committee activities are to be suspended to…

BUA truck has killed five people and injured six at Eke Awgbu market in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State. The accident happened at about 9.55 am on Tuesday, July 9, 2024. Confirming the accident the spokesperson of the Anambra State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Margret Onagbe, said it was caused by a break failure of the trailer which crashed into the bush k!lling five persons and injuring six others. She dismissed claims from some quarters that the accident was due to the activities of the Anambra Road Traffic Management Agency (ARTMA). “A fatal…

The Management of the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete has announced expulsion of 175 students for various offences. The university’s acting director, University Relations, Dr. Saeedat Aliyu, who made this disclosure in a statement late on the night of Monday, 8 July, 2024, said that the approval of the expulsion followed the recommendations of the Students’ Disciplinary Committee (SDC), which held sittings between October 2021 and March 2024. According to Aliyu, the expelled students were penalized for offences ranging from examination malpractice, theft, using fake results to gain admission, assault, fraud, belonging to unregistered associations and possession of firearms. “This…

Some farmers under the auspices of Oluwa Forest Reserve Farmers, the in Ondo State have approached the state High Court, sitting in Ondo town in the state to challenge the sale of their farmlands at Oluwa Forest Reserve in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state, by the state government. The farmers claimed that the land measuring 2000.482 hectares, was sold to a foreign company while the Certificate of Occupancy had been issued to the buyer, rendering thousands of the concerned farmers jobless. In the suit filed by their counsel, Mr Tope Temokun, on Tuesday, 9 July, 2024, the court…

Canadian hip-hop sensation, Drake, has made a big commitment on his home country’s soccer team, staking a bet of $300,000 (N465 million) on Canada to edge out Argentina in the 2024 Copa América semifinal clash on morning of Wednesday, 10 June, 2024. The high-stakes bet could potentially net Drake a hefty $2.88 million if Canada pulls off the upset against Lionel Messi and the favoured Argentine squad. Drake shared news of his bet on social media on Tuesday with a playful caption, “This could get Messi,” accompanied by a Canadian flag emoji. Canada’s journey to the semifinal has been a surprising…

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…