Author: The Gazelle News

By Laolu Akande Among those who insist that truth-telling is an indispensable form of nation building, Prof. Wole Soyinka is the greatest. And I don’t mean this merely when he is often telling those in government the truth or only when it is done in public. I mean for all times, seasons and for all purposes. Here is the story of what Soyinka, [who is not only to be referred to as Alagba, but also as Baba, not just by his biological children but so many of us,] means to me. In 1992 as a Correspondent of The Guardian Newspapers…

The 200 beneficiaries of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, 2024/2025 Foreign Post-Graduate Scholarship Programme, have received their award letters from the Commission. Presenting the scholarship letters to the successful candidates during a pre-departure and award ceremony in Port Harcourt, Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, charged the scholars to be ambassadors of the Niger Delta region as they carry the flag of Nigeria to foreign lands. He advised the beneficiaries to make the best use of the opportunity given to them to acquire technical expertise for the benefit of the people of the Niger Delta region.…

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has described Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, as a literary icon and a voice for social justice and human rights, whose legacies straddles the entire world. Governor Abiodun, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Lekan Adeniran, on the occasion of Prof. Soyinka’s 90th birthday on Saturday, 13 July, 2024, described the first African Nobel Laureate winner in Literature as an icon, a literary giant, and a global ambassador of Nigeria. The Governor noted that Professor Soyinka has made immense contributions to the development of literature, culture, and democracy in Nigeria and…

It is indeed sad to hear the news of the school building collapse in Jos, which claimed the lives of our innocent children and their teachers. My heartfelt condolences goes to the Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency, Barr. Caleb Muftwang, the bereaved families, and the entire people of Plateau State. It is disheartening to lose these children with a promising future. Words are not enough to console you, but I pray that God comforts you all and grants you the strength to bear the devastating loss. May the souls of these our precious ones rest in perfect peace. Amen.…

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). The President also approved the appointment of Senator Adedayo Adeyeye as Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). Dr. Dantsoho holds a Doctorate degree in Maritime Technology from Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom, and a Master’s degree in International Transport from Cardiff University of Wales, United Kingdom. Before his appointment, he had served in various roles in the Nigerian Ports Authority as Assistant General Manager; Technical Assistant to the Managing Director; Port Manager, Onne Port; and Principal Manager,…

The immediate past Senate President, Dr. Ahmed Lawan has been told to bury any ambition of becoming the governor of Yobe State in 2027. A group of youth under the auspices of Vanguard for Better Governance in Yobe State 2027 said it is not the turn of Lawan’s senatorial district to present the next governor of the state. The group in the statement said: “Against the backdrop of the call by phantom groups such as ‘The Coalition of Yobe East Progressive Youths’ led by one Dr Yarma Goni, begging the Senator of Yobe East Senatorial District and immediate past Senate…

By Dr Daniel Bwala There is a common cliché that, it is always painful where one expects wisdom and discernment to prevail, it is indiscretion that take order. In recent times, I have taken my time to observe happenings within the polity. I have been vociferous, many times, against people’s views, especially those who have had the rare opportunity to occupy one position of authority or the other in the country but have had little or nothing to their name. I have had cause to call people out including but not limited to governors, National Assembly members as well as…

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…

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire has described Novel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka as a Nigeria’s gift to the world who deserves all the accolades, honour and praises shower on him as he clocks 90 on Saturday, 13 July, 2024. Princess Orelope-Adefulire described the 1986 Nobel Peace Prize winner for Literature as not only Nigeria’s pride but also a pride to the whole continent of Africa who has always represented the country and the continent with honour. “You’re a role model to many all over the world, you’re not only a…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) welcomes the epochal decision of the Supreme Court handed down yesterday, Thursday, July 11, 2024, affirming the right of local government councils to receive their monthly allocations directly from the federation account. The decision struck down the proxy system in which state governments received federal allocations on behalf of local government councils in the country. This decision signifies a historic moment in the consolidation of democratic federalism in our country. It gives practical expression to constitutional recognition of local government councils as the third tier of government. It constitutes single most significant stride towards restructuring…

I am pleased to join admirers around the world in celebrating the 90th birthday of Nigeria’s iconic son and the world-renowned Professor Akinwande Oluwole Babatunde, famously known as Wole Soyinka. Tomorrow the 13th July will be the climax of the series of local and international activities held in his honour. To underscore the global relevance of the literary giant, a symposium, along with poetry reading was held in Rabat Morocco on 9 July. The event was organized by the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco and the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA). Professor Soyinka, the first African to win the…

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake has declared the forthcoming African Natural Resources & Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS) 2024 as pivotal for harnessing Africa’s mineral resources to achieve sustainable economic development. Addressing the press about the 3rd edition of the summit, scheduled to be hosted by Nigeria from July 16, Dr. Alake emphasized that the summit provides a vital platform that unites government officials, private sector stakeholders, and industry experts from across the continent. The goal is to galvanize a consensus aimed at driving economic growth, achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and fostering the development of cleaner…

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has commenced emergency repairs at the failed sections of the East West Road between Ahoada and Ula-Okobo town in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State. The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, who inspected the on-going repair works at the failed sections of the East West Road between Ahoada and Ula-Okobo town in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, appealed to motorists to cooperate with the contractor undertaking the repairs. Ogbuku stated that the emergency repairs would restore the link between Rivers and Bayelsa states and observed that the contractor was having…

President Bola Tinubu has said that Nigerian workers deserve improved welfare, better wages, as well as safe and enhanced working conditions as the driving force of the nation. Speaking with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) led by Comrade Joe Ajaero and that of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) led by Comrade Festus Osifo, on Thursday, 11 July, 2024, in Abuja, President Tinubu said he is concerned about the welfare of Nigerian workers and that his administration is prioritizing their concerns. “I pay attention to everything around me. A happy worker is a productive worker. And…

By Dapo Okubanjo It is slightly more than one year into the President Bola Tinubu administration and like many other countries across the world, Nigeria is going through a cost of living crisis. This has for some time led to hues and cries over some of the reforms introduced by the administration, chief among which are the fuel subsidy removal and the unification of multiple exchange rates. But one issue that many Nigerians especially those in the opposition have not stopped talking about and are literally shouting to the rooftop over, is that of taxation especially against the President’s vow…

Three years after his demise in London, the body of Nigeria’s former Senate President, the late Joseph Wayas, on Wednesday, 10 July, 2024 arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, at about 4:40 a.m. The remains of Wayas were on board from Heathrow Airport London in the United Kingdom through British Airways 083 and was received by the Senator representing Cross River North Senatorial District, Jarigbe Agom; a member of the House of Representatives, Peter Akpanke; family members and other stakeholders. Late Wayas was born on 21 May 1941, and died on 30 November, 2021 in a London hospital,…

President Bola Tinubu has welcome the decision of the Supreme Court of Nigeria affirming the spirit, intent, and purpose of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the statutory rights of local governments. The President stated that a fundamental challenge to the nation’s advancement over the years has been ineffective local government administration, as governance at the critical cellular level of socio-political configuration is nearly absent. The President emphasized that the onus is now on local council leaders to ensure that the broad spectrum of Nigerians living at that level are satisfied that they are benefitting from people-oriented…

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Nigeria’s 36 governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Mr Newsom Wike “to immediately account for and return the local government funds which they have collected over the years.” SERAP’s call is coming on the heels of the landmark decision by the Supreme Court declaring unconstitutional and unlawful the retaining and using by the 36 state governors and FCT minister of funds meant for the 774 local governments in the country. In a statement on Thursday, 11 July, 2024, signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “We…

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has promised that the early approval of the Commission’s 2024 budget will help to fast track the development and socio-economic transformation of the Niger Delta region. The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, made the pledge while presenting its 2024 budget estimates of N1.9 trillion to the House of Representatives Committee on the NDDC at the National Assembly in Abuja. Addressing the Committee, led by Hon. Erhiateke Ibori-Seun as Chairman, Ogbuku highlighted the success stories of the NDDC with its 2023 budget estimates, saying that a lot of progress were recorded in the region and…

By Ahmad Samad On June 12, Nigeria celebrated the 25th anniversary of her democracy, marking a significant milestone for the world’s most populous black nation. This achievement underscores Nigeria’s consistent commitment to maintaining a democratic system of government over the past two and a half decades. The robustness of any democracy is reflected in the stability and functionality of its three major branches of government: the executive, the judiciary, and the legislature. In Nigeria, the interplay between these branches of government has not metamorphosised into the expected maturity of a 25-year-old. Unfortunately, the administration of President Tinubu has faced numerous…