Author: Abimbola Ogunnaike

The Adamawa/Taraba Area Customs Command has disclosed that it has seized petrol valued at N71,760,930 and other goods in its ongoing efforts to curb smuggling in the region. Comptroller Garba Bashir Bature announced the seizure at a press conference on Friday, 25 October, 2024 highlighting the command’s intensified operations. According to Bature, the seized items include 33,595 litres of petrol, 200 bags of foreign flour, 57 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 10 bales of second-hand clothing, and three vehicles used for conveying the smuggled goods. The petrol, packed in 1,115 Jerry cans and 26 drums, was intended for smuggling into…

Barely 24 hours after Governor Nasir Idris approved implementation of the N75,000 minimum wage for Kebbi State workers, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), National Union of Teachers (NUT) and other unions in the state have appealed that payment to local government staff be delayed. The leadership of ALGON and NULGE at a press briefing chaired by the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Abubakar Garba Dutsinmari, said it would be difficult to pay the local government workers because they were not properly captured to ascertain their number. Thegazellenews.com recalls…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, has disclosed Nigeria is contemplating launching a diaspora bond in the United States in a bid to achieve monthly remittance inflows of $1 billion. Cardoso , who made this discloure this during an interview with Reuters on Thursday, 24 October, 2024, highlighted the growing investment appetite among Nigerians living abroad, who have doubled their remittance contributions since the current administration initiated significant reforms last year. “As a result, a diaspora bond in the United States, which is home to the largest concentration of Nigerians overseas, could be on the horizon in 2025. “They really…

The Rivers State Police Command has said all passengers on board the Eastwind Aviation helicopter that crashed into Bonny River, in Rivers State on Thursday, 23 October, 2024 may have died, thegazellenews.com reports. The State Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Grace Iringe-Koko stated this through a statement issued on the night of Thursday, 24 October, 2024. Thegazellenews.com reports that the helicopter, conveying eight persons including six passengers and two crew members, crashed from Port Harcourt Military base to FPSO NUIM ANTAN (offshore Calabar). Confirming the sad incident, the state police image- maker said the ill-fated helicopter ditched into…

A Kano High Court, Presided over by Justice Sunusi Ado Maaji, has ordered  the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, KANSAIC,  to go-ahead to conduct Saturday’s local government election. In his judgment, Friday,25 October, 2024 in Kano, Justice Maaji affirmed that his Judgment and that of the Federal High Court presided over by Justice Simon Amobede, have concurrent jurisdiction over the matter at hand. He said the judgment given is according to the laws of the land and as a state issue, gives him more powers over the Judgment of the Federal High Court. Speaking on the latest judgment, the Legal Counsel to…

Mrs Lola Ade-John, the immediate past Minister of Tourism has broken her silence since she was removed from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet. In a letter addressed to the president, the former minister appreciated Tinubu for the confidence bestowed on her to serve the country. The letter was released by her media aide, Elizabeth Ofili. “I wish to extend my sincere gratitude to you, Mr President, for the opportunity to serve Nigeria as the Honourable Minister of Tourism. “It has been a profound honour to work toward your vision for a thriving tourism sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with a…

The Nigeria Navy  has disclosed that its troops of Operation Delta Sanity have deactivated two illegal refining sites with 2 refining ovens, 2 storage tanks, and numerous sacks containing illegally refined AGO in Delta State. In a statement on its verified Facebook page, it said “On Wednesday 23 October 2024, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) DELTA discovered and deactivated 2 illegal refining sites with 2 refining ovens, 2 storage tanks, numerous sacks containing illegally refined AGO and 13 dugout pits laden with an unspecified amount of stolen crude oil in Obodo Omani Community, Warri South-West LGA, Delta State. “Additionally, NNS DELTA personnel…

Newly elected chairmen in the October 19, 2024 council election in Kaduna State have received their Certificate of Return from the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission, KAD-SIECOM. KAD-SIECOM Chairman, Hajiya Hajara Mohammed, during the presentation of the certificates in Kaduna, explained that the election was conducted across the state in accordance with the Kaduna State Electoral Law 2024. According to Mohammed, it was the sixth time the Commission had conducted elections since its establishment in 2000, adding that it was the first time elected council members would hand over to an elected council, making the event historic. She noted that…

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has assured residents along the Ijeja-Igbore road in the Abeokuta South Local Government Area that the link bridge between the two communities will be fully completed and operational by the end of November 2024. Governor Abiodun made this announcement during an on-site assessment of the ongoing construction work on the bridge.  While addressing the community, the Governor pledged that rehabilitation efforts would also be initiated on the entire stretch of the Ijeja-Igbore road. “I have inquired about the timeline for the completion of the Ijeja-Igbore bridge, and the contractor has informed me that it…

The Ogun State Government has stated that preparations are in top gear for the 2024 National Sports Festival Games to be hosted by the State in January 2025. Speaking after inspecting the ongoing renovation of facilities at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Kuto, and the Ijeja Sports Centre, all in Abeokuta, the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, said his administration is committed to providing state-of-the-art facilities for the games. He said: “This stadium is probably anywhere between 30-35 years old since it was constructed, and this is the first time it is witnessing such a level of reconstruction. We are doing…

The Managing Director of Coleman Wires and Cables, Mr. George Onafowokan, has called on Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, to urgently address the aging infrastructure contributing to the frequent collapse of the national grid. Speaking in light of the recent power outages, Onafowokan emphasized the need to replace outdated cables that have exceeded their shelf life, leading to inefficiencies across the power distribution system. Recall that Coleman Wires and Cables industries self provide their own energy including some manufacturing companies. Following the federal government’s establishment of a six-member committee to find solutions for Nigeria’s power challenges, Onafowokan stressed the…

Cuba has called on Nigeria and other countries of the world to pile pressure on the United States of America(US) to end the 64-year-old blockade and economic sanctions on her. The Ambassador of Cuba to Nigeria, Miriam Morales Palmero made the call during a press conference in Abuja, ahead of the vote against the US blockade scheduled to take place at the United Nations General Assembly on October 29, 2024. The envoy who applauded Nigeria for always standing by Cuba, said the country’s friendship and alliance is needed at the time more than ever, noting that with the support of…

The United Nations systems in Nigeria has restated continued commitment to support Nigeria achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) The UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria Mohammed Fall disclosed this at a press conference to mark the UN Day, in Abuja Fall who also said that for UN to achieve SDGs, Nigeria must first achieve it, said: “For us, Nigeria is a very important country. As we always say, we cannot achieve the SDG if Nigeria doesn’t make it. Less than five years we have now to achieve the Agenda 2030.” He added that the Summit of the Future and its…

About 550 officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been promoted in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command to enhance security and protection of critical national infrastructure in Abuja. Speaking at the decoration ceremony of the 544 officers with their new ranks on Friday at the FCT NSCDC Headquarters in Abuja, the Commandant of the FCT Command, Dr. Olusola Odumosu said the attainment of a new rank is a call to higher responsibility. He maintained that the promotion and decorations of officers was in recognition of the performance of the officers during their promotion examination and…

ActionAid Nigeria has decried the non increment in ministerial slot to women after the newly announced cabinet reshuffling by President Bola Tinubu. The Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu, in a statement on Thursday said the organisation “acknowledges the recent cabinet reshuffling, along with the disbandment and merging of some Ministries, as an effort towards recalibrating governance. While restructuring is within the President’s prerogative, this moment demands that government agendas are decisively aligned with the needs of citizens, with a focus on inclusivity, cost-efficiency, and competent service delivery. “The ousting of three female portfolio Ministers and appointment of seven new…

Despite the ongoing war between the immediate past governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, the current minister of the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) and the state governor Sim Fubara, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed confidence that it will soon take control of state. The National Chairman of the party, Abdullahi Ganduje, stated this at an event on Thursday, 24 October, 2024 in Abuja, stressed that the party’s chapter in Rivers State would be rebuilt and repositioned to establish a stronghold in the state. His comment comes amid the ongoing war between the state governor, Fubara, and his predecessor, Wike, who…

A 14-year-old has attacked a police station, fatally stabbing one officer and critically injuring another. The Interior Minister for the Bosniak-Croat federation,  Ramo Isak, who made this disclosure, said the assault took place in Bosanska Krupa, a town located 300 kilometres (186 miles) northwest of Sarajevo, Bosnia’s capital, “One officer is dead and the other is wounded,” Isak stated Police spokesman, Adnan Beganovic, confirmed the development to national broadcaster BHRT that injured officer is hospitalized with life-threatening injuries According to Beganovic, the young attacker, born in 2009, has been arrested, and an investigation into the incident is underway. The motive for the…

Things are looking for the Nigerian economy as the Naira recorded its first appreciation against the dollar at the foreign exchange market since Friday last week as FX supply increased. FMDQ data showed that the Naira strengthened to N1,601.20 per dollar on Thursday, 24 October, 2024 from N1,654.09 exchanged on Wednesday, 23 October, 2024. This represents a significant N52.89 gain against the dollar compared to the N1,654.09 exchange rate the previous day. Meanwhile, at the black market, the Naira dropped to N1,735 per dollar on Thursday, 24 October, 2024 from N1,730 traded on Wednesday, 23 October, 2024. The development comes…

Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo has a king-sized headache over the size of debt being owned by the country, years after he left office in 2007. According to Obasanjo, he left the nation with about $70 billion, including a $45 billion reserve and $25 billion in a designated “excess crude” account. The former President made this disclosure on Thursday, 24 October, 2024 in an exclusive interview with Kayode Akintemi of News Central Television. Obasanjo, who lamented the poor quality of leadership in the country, said his government met a debt overhang of close to $36 billion but reduced it to about $3.5…

The Councillor representing Ward 8 of Udaba, Ofukpu, Agbavo and Osomhegbe in Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State, Joseph Odemokpai, has disclosed that as floods continue to ravage and submerge communities along the River Niger, corpses are being washed away. Odemokpai, who disclosed this in a chat with newsmen in Benin City,claimed that the corpses were washed away in Udaba community in the locality. According to him, some people reportedly died in the locality due to the severe cold caused by the flood, just as he also added that the flood situation and water level are still high in…