Author: Abimbola Ogunnaike

Mr. President, Members of the Executive Committee, Members of Eko Club, Invited Guests, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen. It is only fitting and proper that I commence this address with hearty words of congratulations. I offer congratulations to the Eko Club—my club—and to all who have served her in one capacity or another, contributing to the building of a brand that has endured for five decades and has transcended the shores of Nigeria. As current members, our debt of gratitude to the founders is unquantifiable and irredeemable. Their farsighted vision 50 years ago laid enduring foundations upon which we proudly stand…

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has earned the commendation of the World Bank for the transformation recorded in the State over the last five years. The multilateral institution said the State had not only been implementing programmes targeted at improving the quality of life for residents, but had also progressed in upgrading infrastructure to improve the socio-economic situation in the State. The commendation came from the Bank’s Country Director in Nigeria, Mr. Ndiama Diop, who led the institution’s top executive team on a courtesy visit to Governor Sanwo-Olu at the State House in Marina, on Tuesday. Diop particularly acknowledged the…

Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) sends its condolences to the government and people of Niger State on the death of 48 people and several livestock in a petrol tanker explosion along Bida-Agaie-Lapai Highway in the state. The NGF specifically commiserates with the families of the victims, prays for the repose of their souls, and wishes safe recovery for those injured in the accident. The Forum says the incident again underscores the need for all road users to prioritise safety at all times. The NGF similarly expresses its firm solidarity with the governments and people of Borno and Yobe States as flooding…

Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, convicted an American businessman, Marco Antonio Ramirez, for $1.2 million EB-5 visa scam .The Judge also convicted him for a separate $368,698.24 fraud.The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, prosecuted Ramirez alongside his companies, USA NOW LLC, Eagle Ford Instalodge Group LP and USA Now Energy Capital Group LP, for an alleged $1,235,000 EB-5 visa scam.The defendant allegedly obtained the money from his victims as processing fees for their investments in his company, USA Now Energy Capital Group LP, in the Employment-Based Fifth…

From Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu Ottawa-Canada From humble beginnings, a spark took flight on August 25, 2018. A vision for a church that shone with new light started on September 2, 2018. Six years ago, a dream began to unfold. A community built on love, acceptance to hold. With every step, a path was paved with grace. Inclusive arms opened wide, a welcoming space. For all who sought refuge, comfort, and peace.A sanctuary born, where love would never cease. Through trials and tribulations, from borrowed room space to choky shelter backyard, they stood as one. Their faith and resilience, like a rising…

A group named the Coalition of Good Governance (CGG) has warned Nigerians to beware of plots against democracy and resist any attempt to subvert it. Leader of the group, Nelson Ekujumi handed down this warning on behalf of the group at a press conference on the state of the nation held in Lagos on Tuesday, 10 September, 2024. Ekujumi said that in recent times the group has observed troubling developments that threatens the fabric of Nigerian democracy and national security. “We stand united today, as coalition for Good Governance to raise alarm over these threats and call on well-meaning Nigerians…

The Edo State Governorship candidate on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) Asue Ighodalo, is presently in a joy mood as the Court of Appeal, Abuja division, on Friday, 6 september dismissed an appeal by the State PDP governorship aspirants, Arthur Esene and Anselm Ojezua, seeking to disqualify him from the forthcoming governorship election on 21September, 2024. The appellants, in appeal number CA/ABJ/CV/863/2024, had asked the court to overturn the April 17, 2024, judgment by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which dismissed their suit for being statute-barred. In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Hamma Barka, the…

The Chief Magistrate Court 2 sitting in the Adamawa State capital, Yola, presided over by Magistrate Abbas Adamu, has sentenced 15 gangsters known in local parlance as Shila Boys to between one and five years imprisonment for various offences. Adamu passed his verdict after the youths were tried and found guilty of offences ranging from extortion, receiving of stolen property, thuggery, criminal conspiracy and causing grievous hurt. He handed down the judgment on the convicts after they were charged before him by a prosecuting police officer, ASP Iliya Akawu, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police. Magistrate Adamu sentenced Umar…

Gunmen have abducted 19 people in separate attacks in the Mani community near a factory in Rido Ward, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, and at Danhonu II, Millennium City, Kaduna. In the Mani community, the gazellenews.com gathered that the bandits kidnapped a woman and her three children on the morning of Thursday, 5 September, 2024. A source from the area, who preferred anonymity , said six of his relatives were among those taken into the forest. “Nineteen persons were abducted from three houses in Mani village, opposite the Indomie factory, Rido Ward, Chikun LGA, Kaduna State, in the early…

Gunmen on Thursday, 5 September, 2024 abducted a 66-years old Assistant Chief Nursing Officer with Babcock University Teaching Hospital identified as Elizabeth Uruakpa in iIlisan Remo area of Ogun State. Uruakpa, was said to be coming back from church service when the gunmen blocked her Honda CRV with their unregistered Red Toyota Camry and zoomed off with her. A resident in the area who spoke on Friday, said: “The woman was coming back from the church in the evening around 7:00 pm when the gunmen abducted her. I know her very well, she’s a senior nursing staff with Babcock University Teaching…

The Executive Chairman of Bade Local Government area of Yobe State , Babagana Ibrahim , has disclosed that no fewer than 20 persons have diedin the last two weeks in Gashua community in the local council as a result collapse of houses due to heavy rainfall. Ibrahim, who said many residents are now taking refuge in three designated camps, added that the government was providing the immediate needs of the displaced persons such as food items, medical care, hygiene kits, clean drinking water, and food to protect them from any disease outbreaks. The local government boss appealed for more support from the…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has provided updates on its preparations for the Edo and Ondo State governorship elections. The National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Mr Sam Olumekun, represented by the Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs Mary Nkem, gave the update during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, 6 September, 2024. He emphasised the media’s importance not only as a conveyor of information but also as a key player in the democratic process, particularly during elections. He, however, called for integrity in media reportage as the two off-cycle elections…

This is certainly news for political aspirants in Ogun State as the State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC), has amended the age qualification for candidates in the November 16 local government elections, reducing the minimum age from 30 to 25 years. This was contained in a statement signed by the Commission’s Chairman, Babatunde Osibodu, and made available to media houses on Friday, 6 September, 2024 . Osibodu stated that the amendment followed a review of the laws governing the conduct of Local Government elections, bringing the guidelines in line with Section 7(4) & 106 of the Nigerian Constitution, which stipulates that…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and the National Productivity Centre, NPC have agreed to collaborate on a wide range of initiatives aimed at tackling corruption and boosting productivity in the commanding heights of the economy. Speaking on Thursday, September 5, 2024, during a courtesy visit to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, NPC Director-General, Baffa Babban Dan’agundi, said the partnership would help his agency achieve its mandate of monitoring the productivity of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies MDAs in the country. Dan’agundi, who assumed office barely a month ago, said his agency had already started working with some MDAs, with…

Operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested Forty-four (44) suspected internet fraudsters at different locations in Ilorin, Kwara State. They were arrested on Friday September 6, 2024 at Sango, Kulende, Taxaco and Harmony Estate, all in Ilorin, following credible intelligence over their alleged involvement in internet- related offences. Items recovered from them include 6 different brands of exotic cars, laptops, smart phones and charms. The suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations. The Ilorin Directorate arrested 56 suspected internet fraudsters only two days ago

Yaba College of Technology, matriculates a total number of Eight thousand, two hundred and two (8,202) candidates admitted to the Yaba College of Technology for the 2023/2024 academic session for full-time to study various courses being offered in the Institution. The number admitted was out of a total number of 21, 530 candidates that applied for admission. The Rector, Dr. Engr. Ibraheem Adedotun Abdul disclosed this figures in his address delivered at the college’s 2023/2024 academic session matriculation ceremon’ He added that a total number of one thousand three hundred and thirty-five (1,335) candidates applied for the Bachelor of Science…

The Interior Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has announced Nigeria’s enrollment in the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Public Key Directory (PKD) and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). This move, according to the Minister, is aimed at enhancing the global ranking of the country’s international passport, ease of passage as well as beefing up internal security. Tunji-Ojo had on Wednesday in Montreal, Canada, alongside the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nanna Nandap, participated in the Import Ceremony of the Country Signing Certificate Authority (CSCA) led by ICAO officials. The Minister, speaking shortly after the event, noted that the development…

The Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) has acknowledged the recent transition from the importation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to local production and supply in Nigeria. The group said like any significant change, this shift comes with challenges. However, the steep surge in the pump price of PMS—from ₦617 per liter to ₦855, and in some cases, as high as ₦1,200—has caused undue hardship on the populace. This increase is particularly concerning, as it exacerbates the strain on an economy that is being repositioned for genuine development. We recognize the establishment of the Dangote Refinery as a commendable achievement, credited…

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the federal government and its law enforcement agencies to prepare for next protest rather than work at stopping it and criminalizing those organising the planned nationwide protest scheduled for October 1. The Commission, while stating that protest is an expression of one of the human rights that is international recognized, insisted that since the government has been given enough notice, it is the duty of law enforcement agencies to ensure that strategies are put in place to prevent hoodlums do not hijack it and criminality is checked against during the period of…

The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is providing more than $6.5 million to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to address flood-related humanitarian needs across Nigeria. According to a statement on Thursday, 5 September, 2024 by the Development Outreach and Communications Team of USAID, the funding is part of USAID’s Fiscal Year 2024 support and will enable local partners to respond to flooding and other disasters. The statement revealed that IOM is allocating $3 million to address flood-related humanitarian needs across the country. Flooding has affected over 619,000 people in 29 Nigerian states since mid-August,…