Author: The Gazelle News

Our attention has been drawn to reports doing the rounds and suggesting that the naira-based crude oil supply arrangement with local refineries has been discontinued, forcing the domestic refineries to rely solely on international crude purchases. These reports do not reflect the realities of the ongoing work under the Federal Executive Council Initiative on Domestic Sales of Crude Oil and Refined Products in Naira. As the committee driving the implementation of this laudable initiative, we wish to provide an update on the Federal Executive Council initiative and confirm as follows: – The Naira-based Domestic Sales Framework Remains in Place The…

Former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai has resigned from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), reports thegazellenews.com Rufai’s resignation letter has been submitted already to the leadership of the APC in his ward in Kaduna State. Thegazellenews.com also reports that the former Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has decided to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP). He has also instructed all his supporters and associates to join the SDP. The former Kaduna Governor cited a growing discord between his personal values and the current direction of the APC as the primary reason for his decision. In a…

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, has reaffirmed her office’s dedication to implementing policies and initiatives aimed at advancing the welfare and well-being of women and the girl-child, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. Her remarks were contained in a statement released by her Special Assistant on Media, Desmond Utomwen, to mark the 2025 International Women’s Day, celebrated under the theme ‘Accelerate Action’. Princess Orelope-Adefulire noted that this year’s IWD theme serves as a clarion call for collective action to advance gender equality and…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Professor Attahiru Muhammadu Jega, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), as Adviser and Coordinator of the Presidential Livestock Reform. President Tinubu announced the appointment Friday, 7 March, 2025 hoping to drive meaningful progress in the livestock sector and further strengthen national development efforts. Jega, former Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, co-chaired the Presidential Livestock Committee with President Tinubu. The committee delivered comprehensive recommendations that underscored sustainable livestock reforms. One recommendation was the creation of the Livestock Ministry, which now has a Minister. Jega, 68, is a member of the International Elections Advisory…

By Muiz Banire, SAN, PhD In my last intervention on the Lagos Assembly crisis, I had concluded that except triggered, I did not intend to say anything more on the subject. This is certainly not because there is nothing more to say. Certainly, there are too many things to say, particularly on the circus, but for the fact that there is no way I will further comment without being accused of bias in one way or the other. For the avoidance of doubt, I still unapologetically stand by earlier views on the issue. However, while away from the country, I…

The Senate has suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months amid the sexual harassment allegation she levied against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio. The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions recommended her suspension on Thursday, 6 March, 2025. During the period of the suspension, the committee stated that her salary and security details will be withdrawn. The committee also recommended that Senator Natasha should not be seen anywhere around the National Assembly during her suspension period. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension stems from a controversy surrounding her sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The dispute began when Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing…

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has said that African countries have the capacity to ensure food sufficiency in the world, apart from meeting their local needs, reports thegazellenews.com He stated this on Wednesday, 5 March, 2025, during a high-level panel discussion held at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Headquarters, Ibadan, as part of the Presidential Visit Programme in honour of the President, Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr Julius Maada Bio. “I have heard about data where they said Africa is about 1.4 billion people, and so also is India and so is China. So, we should look inwards…

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is making its impact felt in virtually every aspect of lives in the Niger Delta region in line with its mandate. In the past twenty-five years of existence, the agency invested in modern fire fighting equipment in Ondo and Edo State in demonstration of its commitment to enhancing public safety and aligning with broader sustainable development goals and risk reduction in disaster management. Investment in fire fighting equipment, the NDDC said is a critical step towards creating a a safer and more secure communities in the Niger Delta region.

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, is advocating an innovative approach, which will be inclusive, for conflict management and dispute resolution in the Niger Delta region. Speaking during a capacity-building programme in Port Harcourt, the Chairman of the NDDC Board, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, said it was necessary to equip traditional rulers, clergy, and community leaders with effective strategies for resolving disputes and fostering regional peace. He identified peace as a catalyst for development and crisis as a significant hindrance. He urged community leaders to adopt dynamic approaches to conflict resolution and commended the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, for…

The Lenten season is a time of repentance, supplication, prayers and good deeds. As we begin the season of Lent, may this time strengthen our resolve to follow Christ’s example of love. I urge us to use this period to draw closer to Christ, show kindness to others and deepen our commitment to serving others. Let us walk together in the light of Christ, with hope in our hearts and compassion for all. We should also remember our dear nation Nigeria in prayers for peace and prosperity, as we all build together a nation that will take her place among…

The Managing Director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa on Tuesday, 4 March, 2025 received a high-level delegation from the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), led by its Managing Director, Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo, in a strategic engagement aimed at deepening collaboration within Nigeria’s rail sector, reports thegazellenews.com This medium learnt from sources at the meeting that the discussions focused on enhancing operational synergy, crisis management, and the long-term sustainability of railway services, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope 8-Point Agenda. Dr. Opeifa reaffirmed NRC’s commitment to working closely with LAMATA to strengthen Nigeria’s transportation…

Today, as former President Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo turns 88, I pay a special tribute to an extraordinary leader and statesman who has made enormous contributions to Nigeria’s development and whose life for the past six decades is woven deeply into the fabric of Nigeria’s history. Providence has constantly thrust General Obasanjo to the forefront at critical junctures in Nigeria’s story. He served the country meritoriously in the Nigerian Army. As a Colonel, fate beckoned on him while commanding the Third Marine Division to receive the instrument of surrender from Col. Philip Effiong, the Biafran Army Commander, signalling the end of…

The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun on Tuesday, 4 March, 2025 said his administration has constructed about 1000km of roads since its inception in 2019. He spoke at the commissioning of the 3.12 kilometers Oke-Erinja-Ilobi road in Yewa South Local Government Area of the state, even as he promised to ensure the completion of the road all the way to Ilobi. The project, according to the governor, marks another historic moment in the trajectory and journey of the development of the state, noting that the road is a pathway to progress and economic development that will enhance the quality…

The FCT Police Command has dismissed online reports claiming a retired Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, David Shikfu Parradang, was kidnapped and subsequently killed in Abuja. A counter-insurgency publication had reported that the former CG was attacked in the Area 1 axis of Abuja Tuesday morning, 4 March, 2025. The report claimed that the assailants trailed Parradang from a bank where he had withdrawn money, took the cash and killed him. However in a statement released, by its spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, the FCT police command said the report is untrue. According to the statement, ‘’On March 3,…

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has been working round the clock in the past 25 years to fulfill its mandate to the people of the Niger Delta region. One notable achievement of the agency is procurement of medical equipment for the General Hospital in Calabar South Local Government Area in Cross River State. Procurement of the medical interventions in the words of the NDDC is to assist the hospital to be able to attend to the healthcare needs of residents who patronize the general hospital to assuage their various infirmities. “This initiative, undertaken by the NDDC as an interventionist…

Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have denied holding any reconciliation meeting with the Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa. Obasa was reinstated on Monday, 3 March, 2025, after Mojisola Meranda tendered her resignation as Speaker weeks after serious tensions in the House. The tension had resulted from the removal of Obasa on Monday, 13 January, 2025, forcing party leaders to hold various meetings with the aggrieved lawmakers for a solution. A report had claimed on Tuesday, 4 March, 2025, that the Speaker was in a reconciliatory meeting with the lawmakers. However, lawmakers who attended the meeting denied…

The Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Governing Board, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, has assured that the Commission will complete and inaugurate the 6.2-kilometre Kaa-Ataba Road and bridges linking the Khana Local Government Area to the Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State. Ebie gave the assurance during an inspection of a 1.2-kilometer-long bridge on the road. He was accompanied by the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku; the Executive Director of Projects, Sir Victor Antai; the Executive Director of Corporate Services, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde and the Rivers State Representative, Chief Tony Okocha. The Board Chairman restated the commitment…

Rt Honourable Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa was reelected Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday, 3 March, 2025, reports thegazellenews.com His re-election was sequel to the resignation of the erstwhile Speaker, Rt Honourable Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, thegazellenews.com reports. Obasa’s reelection was as a result of high level politicking and negotiation which reached a climax on Sunday, 2 March, 2025 at a meeting in state House, Marina Lagos. Meranda was subsequently re-elected Deputy Speaker of the House after her resignation. Thegazellenews.com reports that Honourable Surajudeen Tijani moved the motion for the election of Meranda as Deputy Speaker with Honourable…

First Female Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt Mojisola Lasbat Meranda has resigned her position reports thegazellenews.com Meranda resigned on Monday, 3 March, 2024 barely one month after her election on Monday, 13 January, 2025. While addressing members on the floor of the House, Meranda stated commended the members and staff for their unflinching support. She stated that she is not a quitter but needed to vacate the position for the office of the Speaker to ensure peaceful resolution of the crisis which has engulfed the House since her election.

The Federal High Court in Lagos TV on Tuesday ordered the remand of three workers of the Lagos State House of Assembly in the custody of the Department of State Security Services for allegedly assaulting its officers. The three members of staff: Ibrahim Olanrewaju, Adetu Adekunle, and Fatimoh Adetola — were directed to remain in DSS custody pending their arraignment. Justice Daniel Osiagor, who is handling the case, stated that he needed to review the charges before the defendants could enter their pleas. In the charge sheet marked FHC/L/273C/2025, dated February 24, 2025, and filed on Tuesday, the DSS accused…