Author: Abimbola Ogunnaike

President Bola Tinubu on the night of Thursday, 28 November, 2024 stated that his economic reforms would not only benefit Nigeria but also have a positive impact on the entire African continent. He praised the amicable relations between Nigeria and France, expressing gratitude for French President Emmanuel Macron’s interest in the continent. Tinubu made the remarks at a state dinner hosted in his honour by the French government at the Palais des Elysée in Paris. The Nigerian leader expressed confidence that Macron’s goodwill would strengthen bilateral ties, with positive impacts on the entire continent. He encouraged both Nigerian and French…

The General Council of the World Trade Organisation has reappointed Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for a second term as its Director-General. Her new four-year tenure is set to begin on September 1, 2025. In a statement issued on Friday, 29 November, 2024 by the organisation, Okonjo-Iweala expressed gratitude to the WTO’s 166 member nations for their continued trust and support. “I am deeply honoured by the trust and support of the WTO General Council and its 166 Members. It is a privilege to continue serving as Director-General for a second four-year term,” she said. Reflecting on her first term, the former Nigerian…

The Nigerian Exchange, NGX, recorded a rebound on Thursday as investors raked in a N306 billion gain after several days of losses. This comes as market capitalisation, which opened at N58.969 trillion, rose by 0.50 per cent to close at N59.275 trillion. Similarly, the All-Share Index gained 487.24 points, or 0.50 per cent, to settle at 97,783.81 compared to Wednesday’s 97,296.57. This rally pushed the Year-To-Date (YTD) return up to 30.77 per cent. The market’s recovery was driven by investor interest in Zenith Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Access Corporation, Aradel, Oando Plc, and Dangote Sugar, among other stocks.…

The Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria, PETROAN, has announced that the Port Harcourt refinery will sell petrol at N1,030 per litre, affirming that the refinery is operational as stated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited. In a statement released on the night Thursday, 28 November, 2024, PETROAN spokesman, Joseph Obele noted that the NNPCL informed the association that the price for a litre of premium motor spirit at the refurbished refinery is N1,030. “NNPC Retail Ltd has officially announced the PMS price at the Port Harcourt refinery as N1,030 per litre. “It was also communicated to…

The Nigerian Army has disclosed that popular investigative journalist, Fisayo Soyombo is being investigated over oil theft. This is coming amid reports that Soyombo, is being held by the Army in Port Harcourt. However, in a statement issued on Friday, 29 November, 2024, the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 6 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said Soyombo was one of those arrested among those involved in oil theft. He, however, did not disclose whether this was the same as the investigative journalist or name semblance. Danjuma highlighted the division’s recent successes in tackling illegal oil bunkering in…

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has commended the unwavering efforts of the Association of Ex-Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (ASELGON) towards strengthening the local government administration and empowering the communities to drive sustainable development in the country. The Governor, represented by the state Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bolaji Robert, made the recommendation during 2024 ASELGON Annual Retreat/Award held yesterday at Golfview Suites & Conference Center, Ikeja GRA, Lagos. At the event, the Lagos State Governor bagged the award for the Best Supporter of Local Government Autonomy. Also, former Chairman of Onigbongbo Local Council Development…

Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, has adjourned till 10 February 2025 for commencement of trial of Mr. Olukayode Olusanya and his company, Oak Homes Ltd, alleged to have defrauded America-based Anthony Ehiedu Ugbebor of the sum of N152 million under false pretences. When the matter came up on November 26, 2027, the defendant, Olukayode Olusanya, and his counsel, Adeleke Agboola, a senior advocate of Nigeria, SAN, were present in court The prosecutor, Chief Superintendent of Police M.A. Omo-Osagie, told the court he was withdrawing the former three count charge in suit number FHC/L/261C/2024 and replacing…

The presentation of the Ogun State 2025 Appropriation Bill to the State House of Assembly by the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, earlier scheduled for Friday, 29th November 2024 has been postponed to a later date. A statement signed by the Clerk/Head of Legislative Service, Mr. Sakiru Adebakin stated that a new date for the presentation of the annual budget would be announced later. The Clerk said the Assembly regretted any inconvenience arising from the postponement.

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Thursday charged the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, to deepen collaborations with research institutions in areas that align with his administration’s focus on mechanized agriculture and agro-industrial development. The Governor stated this during the 16th convocation ceremony of the institution. Governor Abiodun, who was represented by his deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, noted that the demand for educators and extension officers to support education initiatives in agriculture is growing, and TASUED is well positioned to meet the needs. “I encourage the Tai Solarin University of Education to deepen collaborations with other universities…

Nigeria has said its target is to become net exporter to China in the next five years, overtaking Brazil which currently stands atop the list with the net export of $104.32 billion. The country’s ambition was revealed by the Director General, China-Nigeria Partnership, Joseph Tegbe on Thursday, 28 November, 2024, at the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in Abuja, Tegbe recalled that Nigeria presently has an export $22.6 billion, however said that the narative is about to change with the latest upgrade of China-Nigeria relations into partnership. Brazil export to China, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international…

All is now set for the public presentation of Senator Chris Anyanwu’s autobiography, Bold Leap’. The event billed to hold at the National Universities Commission main auditorium in Abuja on Monday, December 2, 2024, will be chaired by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. A number of other high-profile Nigerians including former President Goodluck Jonathan, Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF); Senators Anyim Pius Anyim and David Mark, former Presidents of the Senate, and Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, have confirmed their attendance. The event will be hosted by Imo State Governor,…

The Abia State government has signed a 10 billion naira Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Bank of Industry (BOI) for the industrialization of the state. The Executive Director of MSMEs at the Bank of Industry, Shekarau Umar, made this disclosure on Wednesday, 27 November, 2024 while speaking with newsmen after signing the MOU in Umuahia. According to the agreement, the Abia State government will provide the sum of 5 billion naira, which will be matched with another 5 billion naira by the BOI to start, and the funds will be disbursed to entrepreneurs in the state to boost their…

Activist lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has claimed that his efforts to get singer, Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington bailed from the custody of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) was unsuccessful. Recall that the singer was rearrested by the police on Tuesday,26 November, 2024 during his show in Owerri, the Imo State capital for allegedly cyberstalking his colleague, Damini Ogulu, aka Burna Boy. In an update shared on his official Facebook page on the night of Wednesday,27 November, 2024 his lawyer, Adeyanju said the police refused to release the singer on bail. “The Nigerian police brought our client Speed Darlington to Abuja…

A New York City judge, Arun Subramanian on Wednesday, 27 November, 2024 denied bail for the third time to famous American Music mogul and enterprenuer Sean “Diddy” Combs, as he awaits trial on charges, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation for prostitution. The denial comes amid growing concerns over witness tampering and misconduct. US District Judge, Subramanian ruled that no conditions of release could adequately ensure public safety or prevent interference with the judicial process. Combs had pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges and had also denied more than two dozen accusations of sexual assault brought against him…

The Force Criminal Investigation Department(FCID) has detained a self-acclaimed licensed Bureau De Change, BDC, operator, Chinedu Ngwaka, over alleged fraud of N320 million. The FCID’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Aminat Mayegun, confirmed the arrest and detention in a post on her X handle on Wednesday, 27 November, 2024. According To Maiyegun, the police received a petition addressed to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG, Mr Ayodeji Ogundele, FCID Annex, Lagos on 9 September, 2024. She explained the arrest followed a petition filed by one Chinedu Laz and Partners (Deo Gratia Chambers) on behalf of Mr Tochukwu Unachukwu,…

Finish Court has fixed May 25, 2025 for the trial of the self-acclaimed Prime Minister of Biafra, Simon Ekpa. A Senior Detective Superintendent at Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation, Mikko Laaksonen,made this disclosure. “Due to the ongoing investigation, no further details can be disclosed. The date for bringing up possible charges by the prosecution was set by the district court to May 2025,” Laaksonen said. He further shared that a re-evaluation may be requested by Ekpa and the Finnish authorities after two weeks. “In a basic situation regarding the remand, the next possible hearing can be held no earlier than…

Workers in Rivers State are presently in a happy mood as the state Governor, Sim Fubara has commenced payment of N85,000 new minimum wage to them. The Chairman of the Nigeria Civil Service Union, Rivers State Chapter, Chukwuma Osunna, “The Governor has fulfilled his promise, as of today, November 27, 2024, I can confirm that he has paid the N85,000 new minimum wage to workers, and the workers are happy. “We met under the joint council, sat with the Head of Service, saw the salary chart and confirmed that the N85,000 is well calculated and implemented in the November salary…

Troops of Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) operating under Sector 3 in Mongunu, Borno State, have neutralized terrorists in clearance operations. The Chief Military Information Officer HQ MNJTF N’djamena, Chad, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, made this disclosure in a statement made available to newsmen . According to Osoba, the troops in a joint effort with hybrid force and air component support, intercepted and neutralized some fleeing wounded ISWAP terrorists and captured additional cache of weapons. According to the statement, the troops successfully targeted and interdicted several armed and wounded terrorists on motorbikes, who were regrouping in Guzamala. “In a follow-up…

Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has directed his Special Assistant on Water Resources, Franklin Ukah, and his counterpart in Housing and Urban Development, Patrick Enyi, to take charge of their respective ministries as acting commissioners. The development followed the recent sack of some commissioners, and suspension of others, by the governor. Nwifuru also directed his Special Assistant on Primary Health, Dr Sabinus Nwibo, to take charge of the State Ministry of Health as acting commissioner. The Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Jude Okpo made this disclosure in a statement on Wednesday, 27 November, 2024 in Abakaliki, the state capital. The…

A former member of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Adamu Bello, has officially rejoined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC). Bello, a founding member of the APC in Bauchi State and a key figure in the Bauchi North Senatorial District, served as the Sole Administrator of Giade Local Government Area. The former APC leader, who played a crucial role in securing a victory for the APC in Giade LGA during the last general elections, cited the ongoing support of Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, for his people as the primary reason for his…