Author: Abimbola Ogunnaike

The Presidency on Wednesday, 111 September, 2024 described the 2023 Labour Party (LP) Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, as the Nigerian version of former United States (US) President Donald Trump. The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, said Trump and Obi share some similarities. Ajayi, who made the remark on X while reacting to the US presidential debate between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, noted that both men use negative epithets to describe their respective countries. The presidential spokesman said Harris, a candidate of the Democrats, won the debate because she understood Trump’s weaknesses.…

Lagos State residents: Yakubu Ndahi, his wife Ann Lady Yakubu, and their little son have disappeared without trace, Daily Post reports. The medium gathered that Yakubu and his family had on 10 August,2024 departed Lagos State for Calabar, Cross Rivers State via a private vehicle but failed to arrive at their destination. Ann’s elder sister, Blessing Alechenu told the online medium on Thursday, 12 September, 2024 that she last heard from the couple at about 2pm, when they were still around Onitsha, Anambra State. She said her family became worried after it was discovered that Mr Yakubu and his family…

Tragedy has occurred again in Nollywood industry as famous filmmaker, producer and director, Shina Sanyaolu is dead. The late Sanyaolu is a prominent figure in the Yoruba film industry. Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria, TAMPAN, Bolaji Amusan announced Sanyaolu’s death in an Instagram post on Wednesday, 11 September, 2024. Sharing his picture Bolaji wrote; “Sleep well Uncle Shina Sanyaolu.” The cause of his death remains unknown as colleagues in the industry take to social media to pay their last respects.

The Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa, has directed the Defense Joint Monitoring Team to ensure the achievement of the presidential mandate to produce 2.2 million barrels of crude oil in the Niger Delta region by December 2024. General Musa issued this directive during the official inauguration of the Defense Joint Monitoring Team at the Six Division of the Nigerian Army, PortHarcourt on Wednesday, 12 September, 2024 The CDS, who emphasized the need for the team to enhance security for lives and property in their operational areas, stressed the importance of professionalism and teamwork, just as he also warned…

United States Department of State is hosting the inaugural U.S.-Nigeria Strategic Energy Dialogue in Washington, DC. According to a statement by the United States Embassy, the meeting is being hosted on September 11-12, and a senior delegation from the Nigerian government is led by the Minister of State Petroleum Resources, Ekperikpe Ekpo. The statement read: “Bureau of Energy Resources (ENR) Assistant Secretary Geoffrey R. Pyatt, will lead the inaugural U.S.-Nigeria Strategic Energy Dialogue in Washington, DC on September 11-12, hosting a senior delegation from the Nigerian government led by the Honourable Minister of State Petroleum Resources Ekperikpe Ekpo. “In addition…

UN Women has called for economic empowerment of women in Nigeria and the rest of West Africa, insisting that systemic inequality and other barriers standing in the path of women’s economic emancipation need to be crunched. Speaking at Women’s Economic Empowerment Learning Week in Abuja, with the theme: “Accelerating the progress of Women’s Economic Empowerment in Sub-Saharan Africa amidst changing contexts,” UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms. Beatrice Eyong told the gathering of stakeholders from countries in West Africa, that deliberations should be on Women’s Economic Empowerment through Affirmative Procurement in Africa, the challenges identified, the key…

The North-East Development Commission (NEDC) has started the assessment of the level of destruction caused by flood that ravaged parts of Maiduguri and environs in order to take decision on area of intervention. The Managing Director of the commission, Mr Mohammed Alkali said Wednesday, 11 September, 2024 during a briefing in Maiduguri, Borno State capital. Alkali, while sympathising with the victims, pledged to provide immediate humanitarian assistance to cushion the effect of the flood disaster. He said: ”This is unfortunate incidence and I will advise that those living in the flood prone areas to exercise extreme caution and avoid those…

Former Nigeria’s President Olusegun Obasanjo has written to United State’s President, Joe Biden to remove Cuba from among the countries listed as sponsoring terrorism globally. The former President in a letter dated September 3, said the effect of the listing is adversely affecting millions of Cuban citizens. The letter read: “I have great pleasure in addressing this letter to you, Mr. President, in my capacity as former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who has always advocated for peace, justice and the well-being of all nations. “It has been brought to my attention that Cuba is currently listed by…

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Taraba State government have commissioned the remodeled Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Laboratory at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Jalingo for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and other priority diseases testing and treatment monitoring. In April 2023, a devastating fire destroyed the PCR laboratory, which brought life-saving HIV/AIDS treatment to the people of Taraba State. In response, USAID worked with the management of FMC Jalingo to remodel the virology laboratory in the facility to serve as a PCR laboratory, a specialized lab that tests HIV with high accuracy and precision. Following the remodeling, USAID also…

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) has expressed his heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the government and people of Borno state over the devastating flood disaster that has displaced thousands of residents and damaged several properties in the state, Marwa, who is a former Military Governor of the old Borno state in his condolence message to the state governor, Prof Babagana Zulum on Wednesday, 11 September, 2024 empathized with him, the Shehu of Borno, His Highness Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanem, victims and residents of the state over the…

As many parts of the country continue to cave in to flooding, the federal government has ordered the relocation of vulnerable populations from floodplains A public advisory on Wednesday by the Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Lawal read: “As the threat of flooding may increase due to forecast trends, we urge the States, Local Governments, Stakeholders, and all citizens to relocate vulnerable populations from floodplains. “Avoid traveling to flood-prone areas; Follow evacuation orders; Desilt drainage systems; Motorists and pedestrians are cautioned to avoid crossing heavy run-off flow as well as cut-off highways; Stay informed through official channels and adhere to…

Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) has once again demonstrated its commitment to fostering strategic partnerships that drive national development. The College, at a courtesy call, welcomed a high-level delegation from the National Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), South West Zone, led by the Deputy Director and Zonal Coordinator, Mrs. Alice Akinsola. The purpose of the visit was to explore avenues for collaboration that would advance the promotion of tourism and cultural heritage in Nigeria, with focus on engaging youth and educational institutions. In her remarks, Mrs. Akinsola expressed the NTDA’s vision to “spread the gospel of tourism and culture” across the…

President Bola Tinubu was warmly received on Wednesday, 11 September, 2024, in London by His Majesty King Charles III at Buckingham Palace for a private meeting, highlighting the enduring and cherished relationship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom. This will be the two leaders’ first meeting since they met in Dubai at the COP 28 Climate Summit last year. The latest meeting was at the King’s request. Both leaders discussed global and regional matters of shared priority, focusing on the urgent and complex challenge of climate change. President Tinubu and His Majesty also explored opportunities for collaboration in anticipation of…

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has approved two days off duty per week for officers on Grade Level 01-14, while officers on Grade Level 15-17 are to maintain one day off duty per week. A statement by the state Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya said the gesture is aimed at further easing the burden on the teeming workers who now face more significant challenges commuting to work. According to the Head of Service, the gesture is expected to translate to substantial relief while also enhancing service delivery through a more motivated and energized workforce. He described Governor Abiodun…

Ogun State workers will soon smile as the state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has stated that his administration is working towards implementing the new minimum wage. The Governor, who made this statement at a meeting with the leadership of organized labor held at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan Abeokuta, noted that workers have been instrumental in the rapid economic growth the state is witnessing. He promised the union leaders that Ogun State would not take second place in the implementation of the new minimum wage. He said: “On the new minimum wage, all hands are on deck working assiduously, and I…

A family court in Brazil has sentenced former Manchester United midfielder, Anderson to prison over his reported failure to pay child maintenance. The 36-year-old has been told he will have to serve time in a jail in the southern Brazilian city of Porto Alegre unless he hands over the £45,000 he owes. The decision was made last week by a family court judge in the retired footballer’s home city, but only became public overnight. The lock-up where ex-Brazil international Anderson, who won the Premier League four times with Man United after signing for the club from Porto in July 2007, could spend his time has…

A UK-based Nigerian nurse who left her ten-week-old baby to die while she went to work at a hospital has been jailed for three years. Mother, Ruth Auta, 28, abandoned Joshua Akerele in her nurse’s accommodation for eight hours so she could work her shift on December 20, 2022, Mail Online reports. When she returned from work, she found her son lifeless in his cot and dialled 999, telling operators her son was not breathing. The infant was pronounced dead an hour later with tests showing he may have ‘overheated’ due to the layers of clothing and bedding he was…

Clubs in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has been reminded that all rights contract must be vetted by the league before they become operational. In apparent reaction to observed breaches of the NPFL Marketing codes through unauthorized Man-of-the-Match awards the Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi drew the attention of the Clubs to Rule A7.6 of the NPFL Framework and Rules. “All rights contracts to be entered into by any Club shall first be subject to the vetting and approval of NPFL, before execution. This rule serves as a safeguard to help prevent such abuses, and we expect strict adherence…

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu has said that the Commission has complied with court orders which created some changes in the candidates list. He said that the running mate for the Labour Party’s candidate has been replaced while the National Rescue Movement, NRM, has been added to the list. Yakubu spoke on Wednesday, 11 September, 2024 during a meeting with stakeholders at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub ahead of the governorship election slated for 21 September, 2024. In attendance were the Inspector-General of Police, the Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council in Edo State,…

A 44-year-old man, named Sunday Lukas has been remanded in custody on Wednesday, 11 September, 2024 by the order of a Badagry Chief MagistrateCourt sitting in Lagos presided over by Mr Patrick Adekomaiya, for allegedly defiling a nine-year-old girl. The Chief Magistre Adekomaiya, ordered that Lukas be remanded at the Awarjigoh Correctional Centre, Badagry after he pleaded not guilty to a count charge of assault. He ordered that the case file be duplicated and sent to the office of the Director for Public Prosecution, DPP for legal advice. Adekomaiya, however, adjourned the case until 28 October, 2024 for a ruling on the…