Author: Abimbola Ogunnaike

The act of seizure of Nigeria jets courtesy of Chinese firm, Zhongshang Fucheng Industrial Investment Ltd., has yet to come to an end as it has also finalised the repossession of a luxury jet owned by Nigeria in Canada. Recall that that Zhongshang recently received a change of custodian paperwork for the Bombardier 6000 type BD-700-1A10 aircraft from Canadian authorities in Montreal after a Canadian court issued a judgment that empowered the firm to seize the jet from Nigeria. “The court granted orders for Zhongshang to seize the plane earlier this year, but the change of custody from Nigeria to…

Gunmen on Wednesday, 21 August, 2024 invaded two farms at the Ijuwa fringes of the Alawa community of the Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State and Killed 13 persons The LGA Chairman, Akilu Isyaku, who confirmed the killing in Minna on Wednesday, 21 August, 2024 to newsmen, said the bandits shot nine of the victims to death while four others were killed at a different location the same day. A resident who spoke to newsmen said the bandits targeted the community over allegations that members supplied intelligence to security agencies on bandits’ movements. Meanwhile, Niger State acting Governor Yakubu…

Nigeria’s First Lady and Chairman of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), Senator Oluremi Tinubu CON has flagged off the Renewed Hope Initiative Economic Empowerment Programme for women petty traders nationwide with the disbursement of N50,000 business recapitalization grant to 37,000 petty traders, 1,000 from each state of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory. She flagged off disbursement of the grant in Asaba, Delta State capital where 1000 petty traders benefited from the scheme. As one of the interventions under the economic empowerment programme of RHI, the grant, she said, is targeted at helping petty traders overcome some of their…

A 38-year-old woman, Amarachukwu Happiness Nzekwe, who used a hot pressing iron on the back of her househelp has confessed to officials of the Anambra State Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Social Welfare, led by the commissioner, Ify Obinabo, after her arrest,said that she only did it to discipline the child. The woman, who identified herself as a nurse from Ezinifitte, Aguata Local Government Area, said the househelp stole her money. She explained that she placed a pressing iron on a stove and used it to scald the child’s back after he refused to confess to stealing. “All the suffering…

Pakistani police authorities on Thursday, 22 August, 2024 confirmed that gunmen opened fire on a school bus, killing two girls and injuring five other children. Police official, Usman Haider, said the attack occurred in the town of Attock in the central province of Punjab when the children were travelling to attend classes in the morning, adding that all of the dead and wounded children were aged between five and 10. According to him, the motive of the crime was not immediately known, but the preliminary investigation pointed towards a feud between two families. “We are also looking into the possibility…

Tragedy occurred on the evening of Wednesday, 21 August, 2024 as four women drowned in a boat accident in River Benue in the Mayo Ranewo area of Ardo-Kola Local Government Council of Taraba State. This latest sad development is coming barely a year after several people drowned in the same river and River Ibi, in Ibi Local Government Council, respectively. Recall that in October 2023, over 50 people drowned when a boat capsized on the same river while travelling to a neighbouring village in Karim-Lamido. The latest incident has thrown the community in mourning mood Sources from the community, who…

The 22nd Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola has retired from service. Ariwoola’s retirement followed his attainment of 70 years. Justice Ariwoola was born on 22 August 1954. On 22 November 2011, he was elevated to the bench of the Supreme Court and was appointed substantive CJN on 27 June 2022. Ariwoola was appointed CJN following the resignation of Justice Tanko Muhammad Justice Ariwoola was formally confirmed Chief Justice of Nigeria by the Nigerian Senate on 21 September 2022. Events of Ariwoola’s retirement are ongoing at the Supreme Court. However, there are indications that Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun will…

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt on Thursday, 22 August, 2024 granted an ex parte order restraining the National leadership of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), led by Abdullahi Umar-Ganduje and the Secretary Surajudeen Ojibola-Basiru, from proceeding with the planned Ward, Local Government, and State Congresses scheduled for11, 16, and 26. 2024 . The lawsuit, filed by Peter Ohochukwu and Haija Ndidi-Chukwuma on behalf of themselves and all elected executive members of the APC in the state, also named the APC, the Inspector General of Police, IGP, the Nigeria Police, and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC,…

The headquarters of Surulere Local Government on Wednesday, 21 August, 2024 was agog as the council boss, Honourable Bamidele Sulaiman Yusuf, empowered 640 people with tools, machineries and N2.5 million in cash to alleviate the prevalent economic challenges. Speaking at the august occasion, Yusuf said during the commemoration of his two years in office last year, ”empowerment programme like this was one of our various chains of  event, and today we  are here again to give the dividend of democracy back to the people whose public trust we hold. “Today, hundreds of people in Surulere will benefit in various items,…

As part of the policy thrusts of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, the provision of electricity is considered a fundamental human right to all Nigerians, and efforts will be intensified to achieve this. Power Minister Chief Adebayo Adelabu announced this on Wednesday, at the inauguration of the Power Sector Communications Team (PSCT). The PSCT is made up of media managers in the Ministry of Power and all its agencies. He described the inauguration of the team as a significant milestone in the sector’s effort to inform the public about the policies and programmes of the Ministry and its agencies.…

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Wednesday, 21 August, 2024, said his administration was working to leave a mark for future generations and not to please anyone but God. Governor Oborevwori disclosed this when he played host to President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Wale Oke and his delegation at Government House, Asaba.  He said his administration has done a lot in the delivery of infrastructure and human capital development across the state and expressed optimism that he would continue to work for more progress and development in the state. He said: “We have done a…

The United Kingdom has donated a Counter Insurgency (COIN) training facility to the Nigerian Armed Forces, to help enhance the reality of their training and better prepare the force for its future operations. According to a statement on Tuesday, 20 August, 2024, by the Senior Press & Public Affairs Officer | Comms Lead, Prosperity and Economic Development, Ndidiamaka Eze, the training facility was funded by the UK through its Ministry of Defence and built by a team of Royal Engineers from the British Army working alongside Nigerian Army Engineers. The facility will make training more realistic for the soldiers and…

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has called for collaboration with the Nigerian government in its battle at ending insecurity in the country, insisting that the fight against terrorism is not one that any nation can undertake alone, but rather requires concerted global effort. Speaking at the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism and Memorial for Victims of August 26, 2011 Terror Attack at United Nations House in Abuja, Nigeria, the NSA who was represented by the National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre. Maj. Gen. Adamu Garba Laka decried that terrorism…

The United States on Wednesday, 21 August, 2024, said it is working with Nigeria and the rest of the countries in Africa to address the drivers of instability on the continent and ensure that the situation does not degenerate. Addressing the press on the purpose of her visit to Nigeria, the Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Arms Control, Deterrence, and Stability (ADS) at the U. S. Department of State, Mallory Stewart said: ‘I’ve heard a lot, and I’ve seen through the news the banditry challenge and the experiences, and so we have been trying to appreciate and understand how…

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has approved the release of N200 million to support about 150 medical doctors to attend a residency programme and obtain a broad range of medical knowledge, basic clinical skills, and supervised experience practising medicine in various fields. Zulum, who is a fellow of the postgraduate medical school, announced the approval on Wednesday in Maiduguri when he received the National Executive Officers of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA). Zulum explained that while about 50 medical doctors working with Borno State Government will receive N2 million each, over 100 doctors who are Borno indigenes working with…

Succour is on the way for motorists plying the Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta Expressway as the contracting firm, Craneburg, has moved to the site to begin the reconstruction of the ever-busy road. The flag-off/turning of the sod for the reconstruction will take place on Friday, 23 August, 2024. It will be performed by the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun. Craneburg started mobilizing its equipment to the site 10 days ago to begin palliative measures in an attempt to make one side of the road motorable, while construction proper begins on the other section. The palliative measures already completed on the road…

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Wednesday, 21 August, 2024, visited the Ogun State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to commiserate with staff members over the death of the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Barrister Niyi Ijalaye. Governor Abiodun, while addressing the staff, noted that Barrister Ijalaye will be fondly remembered for his display of uprightness while he was alive. The governor noted that the Resident Electoral Commissioner lived a life of impact and was an amiable, soft-spoken, and humble gentleman who always ensured that truth prevailed no matter the circumstance. He acknowledged the contribution…

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has instituted a N500m soft loan scheme for artisans and traders across the state. The Governor, who announced this at the 2023 International Community Day and World Trade Day celebration held at the M.K.O. Abiola Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta, said the soft loan, which would be tagged “Oko’wo Irinse Dapo,” would be given to traders and artisans within 30 days after modalities had been worked out. Abiodun acknowledged the contributions of traders and artisans to the economic development of the state, adding that his administration would not neglect them, as they had been worthy partners…

Leading ICT company, MTN Nigeria, has further demonstrated its commitment to grassroots sports development by inducting 20 talented athletes into the Making of Champions (MoC) Athletics Academy. The induction took place during a press conference held at MTN Plaza, the company’s headquarters in Ikoyi, Lagos. Selected from the top performers in MTN Champs Seasons 1 and 2, they will become the first cohort of Team MTN inducted into the Academy. As part of the company’s partnership with MoC, they will have access to world-class training facilities, expert coaching, and a comprehensive development programme during their one-year residency at the Academy.…

The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN) and other stakeholders in the anti-corruption sector from the West African countries have advocated for the harmonization of the legal framework (in the fight against corruption), as well as investment in innovative technologies to detect and prevent corrupt practices in the region. They made this appeal at the 6th Annual General Assembly of the Network of Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA). In his address at the event, Dr. Aliyu identified corruption as a borderless crime that required concerted efforts of nations. He…