Author: Abimbola Ogunnaike

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,…

President Bola Tinubu on Friday, 6 September, 2024, in Beijing rounded off his official engagements in China by meeting with Nigerians living in the country, describing his visit as “very good and successful.” Addressing members of Nigerians in Diaspora Organization in China (NIDO China) and the Nigerian community at the China World Hotel, the President emphasized his efforts to strengthen cooperation in infrastructure, trade, finance, energy, green economy and mining during his discussions with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and his participation at the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). “What is uppermost in my mind…

The co-Chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, has said that Nigeria’s Value Added Tax is among the lowest worldwide. Gates disclosed this on Tuesday, 3 September, 2024 during the Nutrivision 2024, dialogue held in Abuja while responding to a question on potential financing mechanisms for large-scale public health interventions. According to him, there are plans for the government to fund more health-related programmes. “Over time, there are plans for Nigeria to fund the government more than it does today. The actual tax collection in Nigeria is pretty low,” he said. This comes as Bill Gates participated in Nigeria’s National…

Greek giants, Olympiacos FC has signed a Nigerian youngster Taiye Abdulateef on a four-year. The striker joined Olympiacos from Unicorns Football Academy which is owned by Super Eagles and Nottingham Forest forward, Taiwo Awoniyi. Abdulateef will train with Olympiacos’ U-19 side from where he is expected to graduate to the first team. The young hitman is hopeful of making a big impact with the current UEFA Europa Conference League champions. “I hope to achieve as much success as possible and hopefully pave way for others at the Academy in Ilorin,” he said during his unveiling ceremony. Awoniyi stated:”We prioritise the right environment…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, it has disclosed that it has supplied Dangote refinery 30 million barrels of crude oil so far. NNPCL said it will still supply the refinery a total of 17.6 million barrels of crude oil between September and October. The Executive Vice President of NNPCL, Downstream, Adedapo Segun, disclosed this on the morning of Thursday, 5 September, 2024 in an interview on Arise Television. According to him, 6.3 million will be supplied to Dangote Refinery this month, and 11.3 million next month, adding that the supplies to Dangote are part of the Federal Government’s strategy…

Dangote Group on Thursday, 5 September, 2024 denied reports that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, (NNPCL), has started lifting fuel from its refinery. It was reported that NNPCL lifted petrol from Dangote Refinery and sold it for N897 per liter to Nigerians. The report comes amid the declaration by the Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, that the refinery is ready to commence production and sales of petroleum products. However, Anthony Chiejina, Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer of Dangote Group said NNPCL was yet to start lifting fuel from the refinery. In a statement he signed, Chiejina said:…

There was pandemonium at a filling station in Itori in Ogun State around 7:45 pm on Tuesday, 4 September, 2024 as a 29-year-old passenger, identified as Anuoluwapo Aderemi, reportedly collapsed and died in a commercial bus. Aderemi was said to be travelling on a commercial bus from Papalanto Motor Park in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State to Ibadan, Oyo State. The Ogun State Police Command Public Relations Officer , Odutola Omolola, who confirmed the sad incident, said the case was reported at the police station by the bus driver, Akeem Olorode. He said the driver was en route…

Popular Nigerian actress and television host, Kehinde Bankole, has revealed the only condition that would make her to accept nude role in a movie. Bankole made this disclosure during her viral interview on ‘Duke Rants’ podcast. In a now trending video, the actress was asked about how far she can go in acting. Responding to whether she would ever take a nude role, Bankole clarified that if only it is “intelligently required”. “I do not like that question because the answer would be taken out of context. This is the internet. After all, I will just say that I can…

Famous Veteran Nollywood actress, Joke Silva, has made public her last moments with late singer Onyeka Onwenu. Thegazellenews.com reports that singer Onyeka Onwenu died in July 2024, after she collapsed at the 80th birthday party of CEO of Emzor Pharmaceuticals, Stella Okolie. She was buried on Friday, 30 August, 2024 at the Ebony Vaults in the Ikoyi area of Lagos State. During her latest interview with media personality, WithChude, Joke Silva narrated her final moments with Onwenu. Silva, who witnessed the incident, disclosed that Onwenu died nearly two hours after she collapsed and not immediately. “We were at the party…