Author: Abimbola Ogunnaike

The Coalition of Women Political Participation Partner’s Working Group has called for constitutional gender inclusion to drive women’s political participation, which is necessary for diverse perspectives in decision-making and the promotion of good governance. The group during a meeting to brainstorm on actions that should be evolved to ensure gender equality in political representation in the country, said women’s political participation would stimulate diverse perspectives and empower communities. At the coordination and strategy meeting on affirmative action reforms to increase women’s political representation in the ongoing constitution review process in Abuja supported by the United Nations Women, the President of…

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have truncated plans of smuggling illicit drugs from Nigeria to United States, United Kingdom and Cyprus. A press statement on Sunday, 14 July, 2024 by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi said operatives of the agency intercepted various quantities of cocaine and opioids such as tramadol, pentazocine injection, morphine sulphate, ketamine injection, among others concealed in soles of shoes, clothes and other items being shipped to the United States, United Kingdom and Cyprus. Babafemi said while no less than 250 grammes of cocaine going to Cyprus was hidden in…

A judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Justice K. N Ogbonnaya, has been accused of withholding judgment in a motion challenging the unlawful sale of the multi-billion-naira Referral Hospitals Limited, Abuja, by a commercial bank without the knowledge of the owner of the health institution. PRNigeria gathered that Justice Ogbonnaya, sitting at Kubwa division of the court, heard a motion seeking reversal of the purported sale of the hospitals by Guaranty Trust Bank to a private company, Riok Nigeria Limited, since December 2023, has refused to deliver a ruling in the motion.In a protest letter to the Chief…

President Bola Tinubu has described former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba as a notable Nigerian who is always concerned about the oneness of Nigeria and her development. President Tinubu stated this at the public launch of a Book, “My Life In the Public Eye”, to mark Chief Osoba’s 85th birthday held at the Eko Hotels and Suits, Victoria Island, Lagos. The President, who was represented by the Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima disclosed the leading roles Chief Osoba played as a member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) in ensuring that the country returned to democratic rule. President…

The federal government has reiterated the importance of planting and nurturing trees that will provide vegetation cover and protect farmlands from the encroachment of desert especially in the northeastern part of the country. Speaking during the celebration of the International Sand and Dust Storm Day in Abuja, which is always celebrated on July 12, the Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako said the day was set aside by the United Nations General Assembly as the International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms (SDS). He said, Sand and Dust Storms (SDS) are atmospheric phenomena that occur mostly in…

The ECOWAS Court of Justice and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) achieved a significant milestone on July 12, 2024, by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This MoU, a pivotal moment in their partnership, is poised to deepen their collaboration in international humanitarian law and international human rights law. The MoU, signed at the Court’s seat in Abuja, aims to engage both parties on topics of mutual interest through various collaborative activities, such as trainings, roundtables, and joint conferences. In his opening remarks at the signing ceremony, Justice Edward Amoako Asante, President of the ECOWAS Court of…

Foreigners have been given 15 days deadline to leave Khartoum, the capital of Sudan. The order was given by the Governor of Khartoum State, Mr.Ahmed Osman Hamza on Thursday It was reported that Khartoum State extended only fifteen days as a deadline for foreigners to leave the state, based on a decision from the Security Committee, while the committee held a meeting to follow up on the implementation of the curfew and motorcycle ban. This decision was issued yesterday 11 July, 2024. In early May, the Governor of Khartoum had announced the approval of the head of Sovereignty Council, Commander-in-Chief…

Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech) and United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) have sensitize the mastercrafts, skilled workers and trainees on zero-tolerance for sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse on the training of 5,250 girls and young women in Lagos State. The warning was given at a two-day induction workshop for Technical and Vocation Education Training (TVET) Trainers and Skilled Workers organized by Girls’ Education and Skills Partnership (GESP), UNICEF in collaboration with YABATECH. In her welcome address, the Project Coordinator, Dr. Funmilayo Doherty disclosed that “the purpose of the induction workshop for the TVET trainers and skilled workers is…

A former Presidential Candidate, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has hailed the Supreme Court judg\ment that bars the Federal Government from sending Local Governments funds to States, but directly to the LGAs. The Supreme Court, on Thursday, 11 July, 2024, declared that it is unconstitutional for State governors to hold onto funds meant for Local Government (LG) administrations. In its lead judgement read by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the apex court observed that the refusal of state government on financial autonomy for local governments has gone on for over two decades. However, Mr Olawepo-Hashim counseled that accountability structures including the local Governments Legislative Assemblies,…

The Federal Government’s efforts to combat illegal mining received a significant boost yesterday with the arraignment of several Chinese nationals for illegal mining activities in Lokpaukwu community, Umuchieze, within Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State. The suspects: eight Chinese nationals and one Nigerian, were recently apprehended by the Mining Marshals, an elite security outfit crafted from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The Marshals are tasked with ridding the mining sector of illegal operators. The Mining Marshals, codenamed “Operation Hayakin Kogo,” is the brainchild of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake. This initiative is…

Over 70 per cent of Nigerians who were asked to pay a bribe in 2023 refused to do so on at least one occasion, according to a new report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime(UNODC). According to a statement, “Corruption in Nigeria: Patterns and Trends”, jointly produced with Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) with the support of the MacArthur Foundation and the Government of Denmark, is the third survey of perceptions of corruption among the Nigerian population and provides an analysis of corruption trends and the effectiveness of anti-corruption strategies in the country. “This survey is…

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has described the younger generation across Africa as the catalyst for developing a new economic frontier for the continent. Prince Abiodun stated this, when he received members of the Royal African Young Leadership Forum, an initiative of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi for young men and women of the African continent in Abeokuta on Thursday night. While commending Oba Ogunwusi for starting a movement of an evolving leadership for Africa, the governor said that the energy and creativity of members of the forum would help reposition the continent. He said: “I see…

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, said on Friday, 12 July, 2024, that the ascension of Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland is a testament to the enduring and resilient spirit of Ibadan. The Governor noted that the coronation of Oba Olakulehin has also put individuals who chose to focus on things that divide Ibadan in their place, as Oba Olakulehin has now taken the crown to Ibadan North-East and Ona-Ara. Governor Makinde stated this at the historic Mapo Hall Grounds, where he presented the staff and instrument of office to Oba Olakulehin, during an elaborate event…

Stranded Nigerian students in the United Kingdom (UK) get relief as an amicable payment solution have been agreed to get their tuition fees paid. No fewer than 60 Nigerian students were reportedly stopped from lectures by Teesside University and reported to the Home Office, and ordered to leave the UK for non payment of tution fees. The students subsequently blamed the devaluation of the naira for their breach of visa sponsorship requirements. The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, announced on Thursday, 11 July, 2024, at a press conference ahead of the 2024 National Diaspora…

The President of the Republic of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko has stated his country’s readiness to partner with the Federal Republic of Nigeria in key areas of the economy, reports thegazellenews.com He stated this when he received the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu in his office in Belarus. He highlighted some of the areas Belarus is looking at for cooperation between the two countries to include agriculture, food processing, industry and education. The President who spoke through an interpreter pointed out that Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s visit has further strengthened his administration’s resolve to enhance bilateral relations with Nigeria noting…

Barely two weeks after false rumours of his death swept across social media, famous veteran Nollywood actor, Olu Jacobs, is celebrating his 82nd birthday on Thursday, 11 July, 2024. Jacobs’ wife, Joke Silva, took to Instagram on Thursday, 11 July, 2024 to celebrate the milestone, sharing a video that included the actor in a customised house coat as she showered him with prayers. “82 just like that. Agba ko ni nira l’agbara Jesu. Happy birthday and have an amazing year ahead, my darling… Sir J of life _olujacobs (loving his customised housecoat),” she wrote. Commenting on Silva’s post, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde…

The arraignment of Mr Saleh Mamman, former Minister of Power under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, was, on Thursday, 11 July, 2024 failed to hold after he collapsed outside the courtroom of the Federal High Court, Abuja presided over by Justice James Omotosho. Mamman, whose plea was fixed for the morning of Thursday, 11 July, 2024 collapsed before the case was called. The former Minister’s counsel, Femi Ate, SAN, told Justice Omotosho shortly when the matter was called for Mamman to take his plea. Upon resumed hearing, the ex-minister walked into the courtroom and stepped into the dock with part of his…

The Federal Government has announced a N1 million bounty on one Magnus Okpalannadi, who allegedly defiled his three-year-old daughter. The Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, announced this through a statement issued on Wednesday, 10 July, 2024 by the ministry spokesperson, Grace Njoku. The Minister stated that she received a report that 62-year-old Okpalannadi, a resident of Onitsha, Anambra State, was alleged to have been sexually molesting his under-aged daughter. The suspect, however, disappeared before he could be apprehended. Kennedy-Ohanenye, who pledged the government’s resolve to protect the rights of every Nigerian child, also reiterated the government’s commitment to creating…

The Federal Government has intensified the fight against antimicrobial resistance, which is estimated to lead to a global US$ 1 trillion additional healthcare costs by 2050, and US$ 1 trillion to US$ 3.4 trillion gross domestic product (GDP) losses per year by 2030, with the launch of the National Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Policy for Environment Sector on Thursday, 11 July, 2024. Speaking at the Launch in Abuja, the Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako noted that a lot still needs to be done for the environment sector to come up to speed and be at par with other…

Two teenage sisters of Nigerian origin drowned while swimming at a beach in the United States of America, reports thegazellenews.com The incident, thegazellenews.com learnt, occurred on Friday, 5 July, 2024 while the two sisters were swimming at New York’s Coney Island Beach in Brooklyn. Aisha Mohammed, 18, and Zainab Mohammed, 17, both originally from Nigeria but now living in the Bronx, were reported missing on Friday night, July 5, in the area of Stillwell Avenue and Boardwalk West after they were seen entering the water and disappearing from view, the NYPD said. Police said at around 8 p.m. Friday, 5…