Author: Abimbola Ogunnaike

Five people, including a child, were killed on Friday in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, state-run media disclosed on Friday, 23 August, 2024. Lebanon’s National News Agency, NNA, said an Israeli drone struck a house in the town of Aita al-Jabal with two guided missiles, killing two people, including a seven-year-old child. An earlier Israeli strike on the town of Tayer Harfa killed three people, the Lebanese Health Ministry said. The pro-Iranian Hezbollah movement announced the death of three of its fighters but did not specify where or when. Meanwhile, Lebanese security sources, however, said they died in the strike…

A former head coach of the Sweden national team, Janne Andersson has revealed he held talks with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over the vacant Super Eagles coaching job. The NFF are still  searching a new head coach for the Super Eagles over two months after former international winger, Finidi George left the post. Andersson, has reportedly agreed to coach the three-time African champions. The experienced tactician expressed his desire to manage the Super Eagles. “It’s a huge footballing nation. I can confirm that I have had a dialogue with the Nigeria Football Federation,” he told Swedish newspaper, Expressen. “It’s a…

The Nigerian military has disclosed that its troops have foiled oil theft valued at N846m in the South-South region. The Director of Defence, Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, who made this disclosure through a statement, said the troops also neutralized 171 terrorists and arrested 302 others. Buba added that a total of 25 perpetrators of oil theft were arrested, and 134 kidnapped hostages rescued. According to the statement, troops recovered 84 assorted weapons and 1,499 assorted ammunition consisting of one PKT gun, one G3 rifle, 3 AK-49 rifles, 44 AK-47 rifles, 10 fabricated rifles, 18 dane guns, 10 pump action…

The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction and sentence of one Manasseh Hamza Bello (a.k.a Domingos Pereira) before Justice Darius Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court, sitting in Kaduna and arraigned the duo of Muhammad Ibn Muhammad and Baba Dennis Ndong before the same judge for multiple fraud. Bello was prosecuted on a one-count charge bordering on impersonation. The charge reads: “That you Manasseh Hamza Bello (a.k.a Domingos Pereira) (M), sometime in 2024 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, committed an offence, to wit: falsely presenting yourself as Domingos Pereira (a white man) on Facebook (an online social media application), which…

Jigawa State Police Command has confirmed that a 40-year-old woman (name withheld) set herself on fire after her husband divorced her in Guri Local Government Area of the state. The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Lawan Shiisu, who confirmed the incident in a statement issued in Dutse on Friday, 23 August, 2024, said the woman, who resides in Garin Mallam village, poured petrol on her body and set it on fire. “On Thursday, at about 0740 hours, the command received heartbreaking and pitiful news of an incident from Guri, which indicated that a 40-year-old woman at Garin Mallam village poured petrol…

Comptroller General of Immigration (CGI), Kemi Nandap has dismantled all unauthorized checkpoints along Nigeria’s border posts. Nandap, however ordered routine patrols to completely forestall dangerous and unauthorized elements from entering into the country. She equally ordered the immediate submission of audit reports on manpower and logistics. A statement on Friday by the spokesman of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kenneth Udo said the CGI gave the order at a meeting with Comptrollers of Border Commands and Commanders at the Service Headquarters in Abuja. According to him, the decision is aimed at ensuring efficient border security and migration management which are…

The Federal Government is currently planning to push for 30 percent youth inclusion in government in the country. Speaking at the commemoration of the International Youth Day in Abuja, Minister for Youth Development, Dr Jamila Bio disclosed that efforts were ongoing to enact a law that will guarantee a 30 per cent inclusion of youth in government in Nigeria. At the event organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Nigeria in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, with the theme “Forging the Future: Youth-Led MSMEs Innovating with Digital Solutions to Secure Sustainable Growth, Global Trade, and…

The Managing Director, of Nigerian Railway Corporation, Engr Freeborn Okhirie has commended the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for standing tall in the protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI) including numerous arrests of Suspects with vandalized Railway Slippers and other gadgets. He however noted that despite these efforts to salvage the NRC from economic saboteurs, the Corporation still suffer losses through vandalism of its installations across the country. Freeborn stated this while on a courtesy call to the office of the NSCDC Commandant General, Dr. Ahmed Audi in Abuja. He expressed worries that some Rail tracks…

The United States has said the idea of establishing a military base in Nigeria was never on the table. Speaking to journalists on what is next line of action for US government after scrapping it military base in Niger as an aftermath of Nigerien government calling for it as a fallout of worldwide criticism of military take over of democratically elected government in the West African country, the Department of Defense West Africa Coordination Element Lead, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM).Maj. Gen. Kenneth Ekman said though it was natural for anyone to suspect that Nigeria would have been the natural destination…

The Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Health, Dr. Salma Ibrahim Annas has revealed that only Borno State has implemented the 30% bonus allowance for health personnel working in rural areas. The bonus, which is 30% of the total monthly pay, is paid to all rural health workers in Borno, and it aims to improve their welfare and motivate them to provide quality health care services to the people. Speaking during a visit to Maiduguri on Thursday, 22 August, 2024, she said: “We are here, sir, to first appreciate all the work you have been doing in the…

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery has expressed the interest of United Kingdom to develop partnership with Abia State aimed at boosting Nigeria’s economic prosperity. Montgomery who was in Umuahia, the Abia State Capital between the 20th and 21st of August for high-level discussions with the state governor, key government stakeholders, and business leaders, made the disclosure. He said: “Visiting Abia State for the first time was a great opportunity to engage and interact with key stakeholders. “Abia state is key to boosting Nigeria’s economic prosperity and the UK is committed to driving that growth. “We very…

The Governing Board of the National Defence College (NDC) has honoured the Executive Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum with the Excellence and Service to the Nation award. The NDC’s Governing board comprises the Minister of Defence as Chairman, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Chief of Air Staff, and the Commandant of the National Defence College. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence is the Secretary of the Board. The award was presented on Wednesday, 21 August, 2024, at the NDC’s Course 32 Dinner/ Awards Night held…

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun on Friday, 23 August, 2024, flagged off the construction of the 70-kilometer Abeokuta-Ifo-Ota-Lagos Expressway with a pledge to complete it in 18 months. The Governor, who performed the flag-off at Itori, Ewekoro Local Government Area, noted that the road is significant not only to Ogun State but also to Lagos State and the nation, as it provides a thoroughfare for people going to the neighbouring country. It would be recalled that the attempt to reconstruct the road was first conceived in 2019, but all efforts to convince the federal government to release the road…

President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria, pending her confirmation by the Senate. Kekere-Ekun took the oath of office and signed the oath register at 11.40 am at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja on Friday, 23 August, 2024. She succeedsOlukayode Ariwoola, who assumed office on June 27, 2022, and bowed out on Thursday, upon attaining the mandatory retirement age of 70 years. Thegazellenews.com recalls that the National Judicial Council (NJC) had last week recommended Justice Kekere-Ekun to President Tinubu as Ariwoola’s successor. NJC spokesman, Soji Oye, who disclosed…

Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), applauds the Nigerian diaspora for their significant contributions to the country’s economy, as remittances hit $553 million in July alone. The NiDCOM Boss acknowledged the diaspora community’s hardwork and dedication, stating that their remittances as welll as investments have a direct positive impact on the Nation’s economy. She stated this during a strategic meeting with the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung, who visited the NiDCOM headquarters, in Abuja. Dabiri-Erewa who was pleased to receive the Mayor commended her achievements and highlighted the pride that she brings to Nigerians…

The Nigeria Diaspora Voting Council (NDVC) has commended the continued commitment of Nigerians in the Diaspora to the progress and development of their home country. According to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), remittances from Nigerians worldwide reached an unprecedented $553 million in July 2024, a remarkable 130% increase from the corresponding period in 2023. This all-time high remittance figure highlights the crucial contribution of the Nigerian Diaspora to supporting the nation’s economy, particularly amidst ongoing foreign exchange reforms. CBN’s Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Mrs Hakama Sidi Ali, highlighted the significance of this achievement, noting that the July inflow…

Residents of Nepa community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State have arrested a suspected kidnapper who collected N1.5 million ransom from the relatives of his victims in Jos, Plateau State capital. The Plateau State Police Public Relations officer, DSP Alabor Alfred, who confirmed the incident told Daily Trust, said the suspect was being investigated at the anti-kidnapping unit. A vigilante in the Nepa community, who wished to remain anonymous, told Daily Trust on Thursday, that the suspect, after being caught by the residents was immediately handed over to the vigilantes in the area. He added that the…

President Bola Tinubu has condemned the tragic circumstances leading to the death of Alhaji Isa Bawa, the District Head of Gatawa District in Sabon Birni Local Government Area (LGA) of Sokoto State. Recall that the late monarch was abducted along Sokoto – Sabon Birni Road while returning from an event weeks ago. He was earlier seen in a 59-second viral video tied up by his abductors, pleading with the state government as well as well-wishers to come to his rescue. Tinubu, in a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, described “the savage attack on the traditional…

Tears flow like river on Thursday, 22 August, 2024 during the special funeral prayer for the murdered District Head of Gatawa in Sokoto State, Isa Muhammad Bawa, in absentia. The district head, who was kidnapped alongside his son while returning from Sokoto, the state capital, 26 days ago was killed and buried by his abductors. One of the sons of the deceased and Turakin Gobir, Surajo Isa, told our reporter that the prayer was held around 10am and was massively attended by the people of Sabon Birni and environs. The prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Sabon Birni,…

The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajiabiamila, has showered praises on the Bureau of Public Procurement(BPP), for helping to block loopholes through which the country would have been fleeced of N1.7 trillion on account of procurement processes. Gbajabiamila, who said the funds were saved between 2009 and 2022 made the revelation on Thursday, 22 August, 2024 after conducting an assessment tour of some agencies under the supervision of the State House earlier. The former speaker of the House of representatives assured that the act establishing BPP will undergo a review process that will make it meet international best…