Author: Abimbola Ogunnaike

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has announced the presence of Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, Minister of Budget & Economic Planning, Atiku Abubakar Bagudu; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, and President of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Dele Kelvin Oye, to lead conversation on economy and security at its 20th edition of All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) billed to hold on Wednesday in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State. A statement signed by the President, Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Eze Anaba…

As part of measures to tackle the high numbers of out-of-school children, Yobe State government has launched a back-to-school campaign in Bursali, Gujba and Geidam local government areas of the state. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), over 427,230 children in Yobe-representing 43 per cent of the child population-are currently not enrolled in school. This initiative, part of the 2024/2025 education enrolment drive organised by the Yobe State Universal Basic Education Board, is themed ‘The Role of Community Towards Sustainable Basic Education Service Delivery’. It aims to encourage greater school enrolment and foster educational access for school-age children…

The Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) has disclosed it lost about N6 billion due to a 12-day power outage that severely impacted business and social activities across its service areas of Kano, Jigawa and Katsina states. During the outage, 70 transformers were reportedly vandalised, adding to the company’s challenges, it added. KEDCO’s Head of Corporate Communications, Sani Bala Sani, disclosed that the company is implementing load shedding, prioritising industrial and commercial feeders to support economic growth, especially in Kano, an industrial hub. He said the measure aims to stabilise supply for high-demand users, including employers of labour and high-value customers.…

The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI’s) Executive Secretary, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, has disclosed that about 7.68 million barrels of crude oil were either stolen or lost in 2023. According to a press statement issued by NEITI on Sunday, 3 November, 2024, Orji made this statement while delivering a keynote speech at the opening of the three-day Civil Society Roundtable on the EITI Framework in Abuja. NEITI boss spoke on the topic: “NEITI’s Mission and the Pivotal Role of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Promoting Transparency, Accountability and Good Governance within Nigeria’s Extractive Sectors” Orji noted that a NEITI…

Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has introduced the Fintiri Business Wallet initiative, a new programme aimed at empowering 60,000 women and youths in the state by injecting N3 billion into the local economy. The initiative is designed to provide financial support for residents to establish sustainable businesses, promoting economic growth and resilience across Adamawa. The governor, who announced the plan during a meeting with stakeholders from the Hong Local Government Area at the Government House in Yola, the state capital, said the support programme will be rolled out progressively, beginning immediately and running through December 2024. Addressing questions about civil…

A man named Saidi has been arrested by the operatives of the Osun State Police Command for the alleged murder of his father, Bale in his farm at Ilusi, Osun State. The Osun State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Yemisi Opalola, who confirmed the arrest of the suspect, disclosed that investigation has commenced into the matter. “The suspect was arrested on the suspicion that he killed the father. I have been briefed about it. Investigation is ongoing,” Opalola said It was gathered that Saidi had decapitated his father, Bale, on his farm on the day he was to begin harvesting…

Dangote Refinery has accused those who claimed they are importing PMS at cheaper prices of importing substandard and low-quality products. Recall that Dangote Refinery had disclosed that it set its PMS price at N960 per litre for sale into ships and N990 per litre for trucks. Before now, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria(IPMAN), and the Petroleum Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria(PETROAN), had complained about the firm’s pricing strategy. However, Dangote refinery insisted that its rates are competitive and in line with international standards. The company’s Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, stated this in a statement…

Dangote Refinery has finally made its petrol prices public following the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria(IPMAN), and Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria(PETROAN) claimed. Recall that there have been conflicting reports over the price of fuel from Dangote Refinery. IPMAN and PETROAN had earlier claimed to be importing petrol products at cheaper rates compared to Dangote price. Reacting to the claim in an official statement signed by its Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, on Sunday evening, the refinery disclosed that its petroleum products are sold to trucks at N990 per litre and N960 per…

The Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission (NASIEC), has declared the 13 chairmanship candidates of All Progressives Congress (APC), as winners of the local government election held in the state on Saturday, 2 November, 2024. The Chairman of the commission and Returning Officer, Mr Ayuba Wandai, made the declaration on Sunday, 3 November, 2024 at the commission’s office in Lafia. Wandai also declared that the councillorship candidates of APC won in the 140 electoral wards out of 147, while candidates of opposition parties won seven councillorship seats. According to him, the candidates of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, won one seat…

As parts of measures to reduce economic hardship, Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has approved a financial bonus that is equivalent to the monthly PAYE obligation for every civil servant in the state, including local government workers. The emergency support measure, according to a statement by the state Commissioner for Finance, Hauwa Nuru, will last for at least three months, from October to December. “This bonus has been approved as a buffer to bridge the gap that the correct PAYE deduction may have wrought on the newly implemented minimum wage. It is meant to serve as a soothing balm as…

Tragedy occurred on the evening of Saturday, 2 November, 2024 Palabek refugee camp in Northern part of Uganda as least 14 people, including several children, were killed in when lightning struck a makeshift church during a heavy storm. According to the police, around 50 people had gathered for prayer when lightning hit the building’s metal roof. The resident district commissioner for the Lamwo region, William Komech, confirmed that the victims included five girls and nine boys, all between the ages of 14 and 18, adding that another 34 people sustained injuries and were treated at a nearby health centre. According Komech, most…

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), has confirmed that a market around Ajah area of the state was engulfed by fire, destroying shops and goods worth millions of naira. The Permanent Secretary of the agency, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, who confirmed this in a statement issued on Monday, 4 November, 2024, said the fire incident occurred on on the night of Sunday 3 November, 2024 at Ajah Market by Alesh bus stop in Lekki, Lagos. “On arrival to the incident scene at 22.10hrs, it was discovered that several shops and stores housing combustible materials were engulfed by fire. “Investigations conducted revealed…

The serving Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF) of Equatorial Guinea, Baltasar Ebang Engonga, has been caught in one of the country’s largest sex scandals. Baltasar was caught on tape engaging in sexual intercourse with his brother’s wife, cousin, and a sister of the President of Equatorial Guinea. He is currently embroiled in the largest scandal in Equatorial Guinea. During an investigation by the country’s security authorities for alleged fraud, over 300 tapes of Baltasar with various women, including married women, were recovered, and they are currently circulating online. These encounters took place in his office, hotels,…

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday, received the United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary, Mr. David Lammy, in a courtesy call at the State House in Marina, hours after the British envoy arrived Nigeria in his first trip to Africa to discuss UK’s new approach to the continent. Lammy, accompanied by the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, and his deputy, Jonny Baxter, said Lagos became his first port of call in his Africa tour, given the centuries-old relationships between the two countries.  The Foreign Secretary said the socio-cultural and economic relationship between the United Kingdom and Nigeria…

The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) has clarified that no directive has been issued to workers to change the financial institutions registered on the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System(IPPIS) platform as their salary accounts.In a statement in Abuja, the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation said the IPPIS Office gives utmost priority to the wellbeing of workers and, thus will not issue any directive that will mislead, misguide, or cause unnecessary panic to workers.The OAGF explained that whenever there is an application for a change of salary account, such is always a personal…

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in Potiskum, Yobe State have been accused of brutality, negligence and disruption of justice in a case involving two officers in Potiskum, Yobe State. In a letter addressed to the Chief Registrar of the High Court of Justice in Damaturu, the Chief Magistrate Court in Potiskum alleged that two police officers were arraigned on charges of criminal conspiracy, causing grievous hurt, and robbery. However, despite multiple adjournments and court orders, the police failed to produce the suspects. The court further alleged that the case was transferred to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps…

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has asked the new Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa to resolve all outstanding issues before the resumption of full academy activities at the Federal College of Education, Technical, Lagos, which re-opened on Monday, 4 November, 2024, after a two-month closure. Specifically, the Lagos Joint Campus of NANS said it could not guarantee peace on campus without the resolution of issues which forced the institution to shut its doors early August. Recall that the college was hurriedly shut when the crisis on leadership, which lingered for over three months, degenerated into violence as…

The Olu of Araromi Elerangbe, Oba (Dr) Hameed Adejoro Ajijola has added another feather to his well-decorated cap. The Chartered Economist has been awarded a Distinguished Professorship Award in Economics by the Royal University of The Kingdom of Atlantis in recognition of his outstanding education, versatile knowledge, contributions towards the academic field of Economics both within and outside Nigeria for more than 20 years. The Royal University of The Kingdom of Atlantis is an Online University that provides exclusive and unique accredited education programs and rewards qualified and experienced professionals who have matured from 5 to 15 years of practical…

After six years without electricity, residents of Etomi community in Cross River State now enjoy reliable, clean, and affordable electricity through the European Union (EU)-funded solar mini-grid project. The solar project, which provides 119.5kW of electricity to over 600 households and businesses in the community, was implemented by GIZ. Head of Green and Digital Economy Section, EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Inga Stefanowicz, explained that the grid is managed under a public-private partnership arrangement to ensure its sustainability and long-term maintenance. A private company is overseeing the operations of the grid, in partnership with the Cross River State Government.…

Few hours after his release from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, custody, the embattled famous Nigerian crossdresser Bobrisky has left the country. The crossdresser shared the update in a series of posts on his Instagram story on the morning of Monday, 4 November, 2024. Bobrisky successfully left Nigeria after two failed attempts. Announcing his departure in a now-trending video, he wrote, “See u soon Nigeria. Dis girl bought a first class ticket 3 times that is over 30 million. Raise bar for dis girl.” Bobrisky successfully left Nigeria after two failed attempts. Thegazellenews.com reports that Bobrisky was re-arrested…