Author: Abimbola Ogunnaike

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to probe the allegedly over N57 billion of public funds “missing, diverted or stolen” in the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in 2021. “Hundreds of billions of naira are also reportedly missing in other ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs),” SERAP said. These damning revelations are documented in the 2021 audited report released last week by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation. SERAP said,…

The oldest Catholic Priest in Nigeria, Thomas Oleghe, is dead. Oleghe, who hailed from the small town of Igiode, near Agenebode Etsako East Local Government Area (LGA) of Edo State, died at the age of 104. His death was announced in a statement signed by Gabriel Dunia, Bishop of Auchi Diocese. The statement read, ” I hereby inform you of the passage of the Rt. Rev. MSGR Thomas Oleghe, the oldest Catholic priest in Nigeria as at today, to the great beyond at about 2.30am on November, 2024. ” He is of the Diocese of Auchi. He died at the…

Independent Hajj Reporters, a faith-based civil society organization that monitors, reports on, and advocates for transparency in the Nigerian Hajj and Umrah Industry, has called on the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to constitute a special committee that will monitor the disbursement of refunds to about 95 000 Nigerian pilgrims who travelled to the 2023 Hajj exercise. The CSO says this call became necessary following the controversy that often follows refunds to pilgrims from the country. IHR, in a statement signed by its national coordinator, Ibrahim Mohammed, on Monday, said “We are aware that the refund has been disbursed…

The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit(NFIU) says the country has secured additional grades in its fight against terrorism financing and money laundering. The agency noted that the ratification was done at a meeting of the Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa technical commission, which took place between November 17 and 23, 2024 in Freetown, the Republic of Sierra Leone. Financial Action Task Force had in 2023 grey-listed Nigeria due to a rise in capital inflows and deficiencies in combating money laundering, terrorism and arms financing. However, in a statement on Sunday,24 November, 2024, the NFIU said Nigeria has been adjudged Compliant…

The President and Founder of Liberty Foundation Gospel Ministries, Helen Ukpabio, has threatened to sue singer Emoseh Khamofu, popularly known as Bloody Civilian, for alleged defamation, demanding N200 billion in damages. This was stated in a letter dated 25 November 25, 2024, which Bloody Civilian retweeted on Saturday, 23 November, 2025. In the letter, the Akwa Ibom-born pastor, through her legal counsel—Victor Ukutt and Co. Legal Practitioners—issued the demand under the title, “Demand for Public Apology and Compensation for the Libel of Imaobong Elijah Ukpabio and Apostle Helen Ukpabio.” The controversy began when an X (formerly Twitter) user identified as…

The Lagos State Government has applauded the decision of the Supreme Court ‘s judgment that nullified the National Lottery Act. The State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho, stated this in a statement issued on Sunday, 24 November, 2024. Omotosho said the judgment also reaffirmed the constitutional authority of state governments to regulate lotteries and gaming activities within their jurisdictions. The statement added that the judgment is a historic victory for the rule of law, federalism, and the constitutional rights of states, stressing that the Supreme Court’s decision is a significant affirmation that the regulation of lotteries and gaming…

English Premier League club, Leicester City, has announced the sack of Steve Cooper as the team’s manager with immediate effect. The club announced on Sunday, 24 November, 2024 in a statement on its website, titled, “Leicester City Part Company With Steve Cooper.” Cooper’s sack comes after the Foxes lost 2-1 at home against Chelsea in the league on Saturday, 23 November, 2024. The Foxes were beaten 2-1 by a Chelsea side managed by former boss Enzo Maresca on Saturday – a defeat which left them two points above the relegation zone. Cooper took over from Maresca in the summer after the…

Famous American rapper, Nicki Minaj, has described Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Davido as an incredible melody maker and songwriter. She made this known while revealing reasons for her recent collaboration with Davido. Recall that the songstress had recently collaborated with Davido on her latest project ‘If It’s Okay’. However responding to a curious fan who asked about her reason, Minaj stated that she was driven by her desire to infuse Afrobeat vibe into her music. Speaking on her X handle, she described the Afrobeat star as an incredible melody maker. “That man is an incredible writer & melody maker. It is…

Two suspected vandals impersonating staff of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) have been arrested at the scene of crimes at Okhoro and Cemetery roads in Benin, Edo state capital. The Head of Branding and Cooperate Communications of BEDC Electricity PLC, Mrs Evelyn Gbiwen, made this disclosure in a statement issued on Sunday, 24 November, 2024 in Benin City, the state capital. Gbiwen explained that one of the suspects allegedly vandalised 200KVA and 500KVA substations located at Play House and Iyayi in the locality. She added that the suspect allegedly paraded himself as a BEDC staff with an identity card at…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has said that the party is reviewing the outcome of the Ondo State governorship election. The Forum stated this after a meeting in Jos, the Plateau State capital on Saturday, 23 November, 2024. Thegazellenews.com reported that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), won the governorship election held on Saturday, 16 November, 2024 In a resolution on Saturday, 23 November, 2024 Governors elected on the platform of the main opposition party accused the APC of manipulating the exercise. Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Governor Bala Mohammed…

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has made public why National assembly gave approval for the establishment of new tertiary institutions in the country According to Akpabio, the development was aimed at making education, at all levels, more accessible to Nigerians. The Senate and the House of Representatives, in concurrence with each other’s bill by lawmakers from both chambers, have continued to approve the establishment of more tertiary institutions in different geo-political zones of the country. Akpabio spoke at the weekend at the opening ceremony of a public hearing organised on bills seeking for the establishment of Federal Polytechnic,…

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has pleaded with labour unions in the state to shelve their planned industrial action over non-implementation of the new minimum wage. The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to the implementation of the new wage of N70,000 recently signed into law by President Bola Tinubu. Governor Otu made the appeal during the 5th edition of the State Solemn Assembly held Saturday night at U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar. The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Peter Odey, said his government would continue to prioritise the welfare of workers in the state. Thegazellenews.com recalls that labour…

Kwara hosted the great and the good of Nigeria’s movie industry (Nollywood) on Sunday night, with Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq inviting them to take advantage of the cutting-edge facilities and the alluring environment that the state offers the creatives. Speaking at the 16th edition of the best of Nollywood (BON) awards held at the Sugar Factory Film Studio in Ilorin, Governor Abdulrazaq said the event celebrates distinguished individuals in the movie industry and commended the organizers’ choice to assemble and honour the best of Nollywood in Kwara. The event offered the Governor a platform to project Kwara as the next destination…

Authorities in Madagascar have confirmed that no fewer than 24 people have died after two boats carrying mostly Somali nationals capsized off the country’s northern coast The Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that 70 passengers were aboard the vessels, and efforts are underway to ensure the safe return of survivors. The boats were discovered drifting in the Indian Ocean on Saturday, 23 November, 2024 with reports indicating engine failure as the cause of the tragedy. Survivors recounted being rescued by local fishermen, though many did not survive the perilous journey. The passengers were reportedly attempting to reach the French…

Famous anti-apartheid writer, activist, and artist Breyten Breytenbach, has died at the age of 85. His family confirmed he died peacefully in his sleep in Paris, with his wife, Yolande Ngo Thi Hoang Lien, by his side. Breytenbach was a towering figure in literature and art, as well as a fervent critic of South Africa’s apartheid regime. A family statement described him as “an immense artist, militant against apartheid, who fought for a better world until the end.” Born on September 16, 1939, in the Western Cape, Breytenbach became a leading voice of the Afrikaans language, using it to critique…

Actor Femi Adebayo’s epic Netflix Yoruba movie, Jagun Jagun, won six awards at the 2024 Best of Nollywood Awards (BON) on Sunday, 24 November, 2024. The awards are: Best Indigenous Film, Best Actor, Best Production Design, Best Special Effect, Best Costume, and Director of the Year. The 16th edition of the BON Awards was hosted by Toyin Abraham at the Sugar Factory Film Studios on the night of Sunday, 24 November, 2024 in Ilorin, Kwara State State capital. DAILY POST reports that Jagun Jagun was nominated in 12 categories. See the full list of winners below: BEST CINEMATOGRAPHYAdire BEST SOCIAL…

An unidentified mother around 6:45 am on Friday, 22 November, 2024 allegedly abandoned her newborn baby in front of Blessed Clinic, located in Oru Ijebu, Ijebu North Local Government Area of Ogun State. Ogun State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, who confirmed the development, said the baby was found by the owner of the clinic. Odutola, while speaking to an online medium on Monday, 25 November, 2024 said the few-days-old child was taken in by the clinic owner for urgent medical care before contacting the Oru Police Division of the command. According to the state police image-maker, an…

A cargo plane Boeing 737-400, operated by Spanish cargo airline Swiftair for DHL, crashed near Vilnius Airport, Lithuania, on the morning of Monday, 25 November, 2024 leaving one crew member dead and three others injured. The cargo plane was on its final approach to the airport when it went down approximately 1.3 kilometers (0.8 miles) north of the runway, close to a residential property. Local authorities reported that all 12 residents near the crash site were safely evacuated. However, the crash caused damage to a house and sparked a fire in nearby infrastructure, which firefighters quickly brought under control. The…

President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has declared that his principal is not an accidental president. Onanuga was reacting to a remark by the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, that Tinubu was not prepared for leadership and presidency. Recall that on Sunday, 24 November, 2024, Kukah said Tinubu, his predecessor Muhammadu Buhari, and other past Nigerian leaders are products of an “accidental leadership cycle.” Kukah also said that many of these leaders came into power without adequate preparation. Reacting, Onanuga in a statement he signed and made available to media houses, rejected Kukah’s…

A long list of oil industry leaders, ministers of the federal republic, national assembly members, as well as oil and gas stakeholders are confirmed to attend the 2024 edition of the Practical Nigerian Content Conference and Exhibition slated for the first week of December at the magnificent Nigerian Content Tower, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. The theme of the event is “Deepening the Next Frontier for Nigerian Content Implementation” and it will be the 13th edition of the annual conference and exhibition, a signature event hosted by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in partnership with DMG Events. According to…