Author: Abimbola Ogunnaike

The Nigerian Chapter of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) will hold its annual general congress on 11 and 12 December in Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital, the organisation has announced.Ahmed Shekarau, the group’s secretary, released a statement on Sunday stating that the annual congress would be a three-part event comprising a conference on 11 December, an annual general meeting and election of new officials on 12 December, and a dinner on the night of 12 December.Mr Shekarau said all the events will be held at the Abuja Continental Hotel (formerly Sheraton Hotel).The statement said the conference, with the theme “Democracy,…

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC)Joe Igbokwe, has chastised famous Nigerian singer Davido for warning Americans against relocating to Nigeria. Recall that Davido had, on an American podcast, warned US citizens against contemplating relocation to Africa, especially Nigeria, saying the country’s economy is in “shambles.” The singer’s remark followed speculations that some black Americans were considering leaving the United States following the electoral victory of the US President-elect, Donald Trump. According to reports, Africans in America are concerned about potential policies of Trump that may not favour them.

Residents of Beneth Island in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State are presently in a mourning mood after eight people died and others missing in a boat disaster. The incident, it was gathered occurred in the early hours of Saturday,23 November, 2024. The victims on a speedboat at a very high speed were said to be returning from a burial ceremony when they had a collision with a big log in the creeks and in the process the boat capsized. The victims who did not know how to swim and were without live vests drowned and…

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has disclosed that the federal government has saved $20 billion by removing petrol subsidy and adopting market-based foreign exchange pricing. Edun made this disclosure at an event in Abuja marking the first 100 days in office of Esther Walso-Jack, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. According to him, the two subsidies were costing the country five percent of the Gross Domestic Product, GDP. “When there was a subsidy on PMS and on foreign exchange, they collectively cost five percent of GDP. Assuming GDP was $400 billion…

In keeping with its acclaimed annual tradition, Zenith Bank once again set the stage for the Yuletide season with the Light-Up of Ajose Adeogun Street and Roundabout, Victoria Island, Lagos on Saturday, 23 November 2024. The Light-up ceremony was performed by the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of Zenith Bank Plc, Dame (Dr.) AdaoraUmeoji, OON. The Light-up ceremony is a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of Zenith Bank. Now in its 18th year, the beautiful Christmas decoration, which transforms the entire stretch of Ajose Adeogun Street, home to Zenith Bank’s Corporate Headquarters and Roundabout into a breathtaking yuletide wonderland, has come…

Office of Nigeria’s Auditor-General of the Federation has uncovered irregular payment for contracts amounting to N197.72 billion in Rural Electrification Agency agencies, Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc, a subsidiary of Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company and other ministries, departments, and agencies in the country. The details of the findings were disclosed in the Auditor-General’s Annual Report on Non-Compliance and Internal Control Weaknesses, covering activities between 2020 and 2021. These violations include irregular payment for contracts, and payment for jobs partially executed or not executed at all, contravening the country’s financial regulations and procurement laws.…

Dangote Refinery has reduced the Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) price for marketers to N970 per litre. The spokesperson of Dangote Group, Anthony Chiejina, who made this disclosure in a statement on Sunday, 24 November, 2024, said the 650,000 barrels per day refinery slashed the petrol price by N20 from N990 per litre to N970. This comes as the company vowed not to compromise on the quality and standard of its product. “Dangote Petroleum Refinery has affected a reduction in the prevailing price of its Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from N990/litre to N970/litre for the marketers. “As the year comes to…

The Northern Christian Youth Professionals have commended the Senate for stepping down the confirmation of the appointments of the Governing Board of the newly established North West Development Commission’s board of directors. The Association had been at the centre of agitation for non approval of the board, insisting that it was not broadly constituted as there was no Christian representation of it. In a press statement on Sunday, 24 November, 2024, the group said the Senate led by its President, Senator Godswill Akpabio and the Deputy President, Senator Barau Jibrin, with this decision, made on November 19th, has demonstrated its…

By Bola Tinubu and Emmanuel Macron In the present era, international relations are often framed as if there were only two possible outcomes for States: to dominate, or to be dominated; to vassalize, or to be vassalized. Nations are supposed to make a choice in favour of this or that hegemon, this or that bloc. The lesson we are learning from our experience as Heads of State of two countries whose bilateral relationship has been deepening over the last twenty-five years is quite different. From our shared perspectives, we can very confidently say that we see our relationship as a…

Reinforcing its commitment to combatting fraud and protecting customers’ financial interests, Wema Bank, Nigeria’s most innovative bank and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, commemorated International Fraud Awareness Week 2024 hosting an insightful seminar in accordance with the global theme for International Fraud Awareness Week 2024, “Share A Story, Stop A Scam”. The seminar was held at Wema Bank Head Office in Lagos on Wednesday, 20 November, 2024. International Fraud Awareness Week is a global celebration commemorated annually in the third week of November, with the goal of highlighting the increasing threat that fraud poses on individual, business…

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and BudgIT Foundation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further enshrine integrity in the execution of publicly funded projects. The MoU was signed at the Commission’s headquarters Friday, 22 November, 2024 when the BudgIT delegation, led by its Country Representative, Mr. Gabriel Okeowo paid a courtesy call to the ICPC. In his remarks, the ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN expressed his satisfaction with the terms of the agreement as it is a testament to a shared vision between the Commission and BudgiT Nigeria, as the two organisations…

NEEM Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) has distributed sanitary towels to over 300 students in Abuja as part of its commitment to end period poverty among young school girls, The foundation carried out the empowerment scheme in collaboration with the Regent Schools Abuja, at the Junior Secondary School, JSS, Jabi 1, Abuja.  Head legal, Neem Foundation, Nancy Oyibo said conversations around menstrual health and hygiene should be normalised, noting that access to menstrual hygiene products is crucial to healthy living, well being and dignity of all women and girls in the society. She said empowering women to take charge of…

Yobe State Governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni has approved the payment of N70,000 minimum wage to civil servants in the state effective December 2024. This is contained in a memo signed by the governor, following recommendations by the committee on Minimum wage constituted by the state government. The committee had recommended for a reconciliation of local government finances to ensure a hitch free transition process of the local government councils from the existing salary structure to the new minimum wage. The reconciliation process which is nearing completion is expected to be concluded soon for approval, and quick enrolment of the…

As part of its commitment to foster empowerment in marginalised communities, Flame Initiatives, a Non-Governmental Organisation under the CINTA Widows Empowerment Programme, has donated food items, funds, and other materials to widows in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The outreach carried out in Abuja, was in collaboration with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), The Lord’s Place. Speaking, the Lead Pastor of the RCCG, the Lord’s Place, Pastor Ola Omosebi, charged the Federal government to make concerted efforts to enhance the current economic situation facing the country, deploying urgent solutions without altering long-term policies. Pastor Omosebi said the church…

Our attention has been drawn to speculations in the different segments of the media by both faceless and known groups with even some so called Elder State men playing to the gallery instead of engaging the facts and reality. While we, the Seyi Tinubu Movement (STM), consider it unimportant to join issues with such personalities, we however find it imperative to set the record straight and protect Mr Seyi Tinubu’s hard earned reputation. We hope to equivocally state that; 1. Mr Seyi Tinubu has not declared ambition to run for any office in the 2027 General Elections or beyond 2.…

The Forward Operating Base, FOB, of the Nigerian Navy at the coastal waters of Ibaka, in the Mbo local government area of Akwa Ibom State, has arrested a syndicate specialising in smuggling petroleum products and other illicit goods to Cameroon and other countries within the Gulf of Guinea region. The Commanding Officer of the Base, Capt. Uche Aneke, made this disclosure while handing over the suspects, the seized items and other essential goods worth millions of naira to the officials of Akwa-Ibom State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC. Those arrested included three suspected oil thieves…

The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress(APC), has welcomed the recent judgment delivered by the Special Court of Appeal Panel set up to address political cases in Rivers State. In a statement on Friday,22 November, 2024 the APC’s State Publicity Secretary, Darlington Nwauju, expressed satisfaction with the judgment of the three-man panel led by Justice Onyekachi Otisi, which set aside the ruling of Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, concerning the local government elections in the state. Thegazellenews.com reports that Justice Lifu, in his judgment on 30 September, 2024 barred the Independent National Electoral Commission…

A section of the ceiling in Obehie Magistrate Court in Ukwa West LGA of Abia State on Friday, 22 November, 2024 collapsed while the Court was in session. Though no one was hurt during the incident, it caused confusion among those in the building. The building according to an indigene of Ukwa West, had been in a dilapidated condition for many years, before the ceiling eventually caved in on Friday. The source who said the Magistrate Court was forced to rise abruptly, disclosed that it later resumed sitting as the Presiding Magistrate, Nnenna Nwogwugwu continued the day’s proceedings to treat…

Famous American singer, Chris Brown, has made public that he is in a polygamous relationship. Brown who made this disclosure during a YouTube live show with Kai Cenat, spoke about his personal life. When asked if he was in a relationship, the singer replied, “I’m in multiple.” Cenat asked; “Like more than one girlfriend?” The 35-year-old responded, “Something like that.” While emphasizing on the importance of transparency in maintaining polygamous relationships, he stated “Just keep it a hundred. Be honest.”

The naira further appreciated against the dollar at official and parallel foreign exchange markets amid FX supply rises to end the week on a good note. FMDQ data showed that the naira appreciated to N1652.62 per dollar on Friday from N1658.57 per dollar exchanged on Thursday, 21 November, 2024. This indicated that the naira gained N5.95 against the dollar compared to N1658.57 traded on Thursday, 21 November, 2024 The naira further appreciated against the dollar at official and parallel foreign exchange markets amid FX supply rises to end the week on a good note. FMDQ data showed that the naira…