Author: The Gazelle News

By Femi Ogbonnikan Ogun State is on the march towards a large scale in rice production. All things being equal, the new initiative is projected to be another major income earner for the state government with no less than N30 billion as an addition to the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). As they say, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step. On Monday, August 19, 2024, in furtherance of the renewed commitment of his administration to boost food production in the state, the Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun flagged off the harvest of 200-hectare of rice plantation at Magboro…

By Francis Nnanyelu In the complex tapestry of Nigeria’s economic landscape, the banking sector stands as a beacon of stability and profitability. Despite economic headwinds, Nigerian banks have consistently recorded substantial profits, even during periods of economic downturns, N1.07 trillion in 2022. This resilience, while commendable, has sparked discussions about the role these financial giants should play in national development, particularly in a country where infrastructure, healthcare, and education are in dire need of revitalization. A proposed windfall tax on banks could be a transformative approach to address these pressing needs, effectively redistributing wealth for the greater good of the…

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has reaffirmed its commitment to programmes and activities that will protect the environment, promote sustainable development and improve the quality of life for communities in the Niger Delta region. The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, stated this during a three-day retreat on Environmental Management and Competence Development organised for staff of the NDDC Directorate of Environmental Protection and Control at the Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort in Uyo. Ogbuku, who was represented by the Akwa Ibom State representative on the NDDC Board, Apostle Abasiandikan Nkono, said that the retreat which focused on the…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the takeover and conversion of Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, to the Federal University of Lafia Teaching Hospital, Nasarawa, following a request by the Nasarawa State Government. This was contained in a statement on Wednesday, 21 August, 2024, by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale. According to him, “The conversion of the health facility to a federal teaching hospital will not only enhance the training of students in medical and allied sciences but also boost healthcare delivery in the state. “President Tinubu remains committed to ensuring the social…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the reappointment of Professor Yusuf Jibrin Bara as Chief Medical Director of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, for a second and final term of four years. The President’s approval follows an assessment of Professor Jibrin Bara’s performance in his first term in office. “The President anticipates that with the renewal of Professor Jibrin Bara’s appointment, he will consolidate on the achievements recorded in his first term in office,” a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, said.

The Federal High Court, Lagos, has restrained First Bank Nigeria (FBN) Holdings Plc from holding, conducting or hosting its 12th Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled for Thursday, 22 August, 2024, whether virtually or otherwise, pending the determination of a motion for interlocutory injunction filed by a shareholder, Tohir Folorunsho Ismaila. Justice Akintayo Aluko gave the order on Tuesday, 13 August, 2024, after hearing a motion ex parte filed and moved by Prof Taiwo Osipitan (SAN), with Mrs Olayemi Badewole (SAN) and Adetola Ogunlewe for Ismaila, the petitioner/applicant. FBN Holdings is the sole respondent in the suit, marked: FHC/L/CP/1428/2024. The judge…

The Federal Government has given approval to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to increase the fees for Nigerian passport. The 32-page passport which fee goes for N35,000 as from the beginning of next month would be issued at N50,000 while the 64-page passport with ten years validity which presently stands at N70,000 would be issued at N100,000. The spokesman of NIS, Kenneth Udo, in a statement on Wednesday said the decision was taken as part of efforts to maintain the quality and integrity of the Nigerian Standard Passport. He noted that the federal government approved the upward review of the…

The Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI) has said that President Bola Tinubu’s policies will eventually have a positive impact on the Nigerian economy in spite of the short term pains. The policy think tank came to that conclusion after analysing the President’s nationwide broadcast in the aftermath of the August 1 to 10 protest. In a policy statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju, IMPI compared the Tinubu administration’s policy thrust to that of some former Western leaders which were initially vilified, but later hailed as successful. “To illustrate this, we recall the vicious attack on the economic policies…

By Tunde Rahman Delivering a paper on the “Impact of the whistleblowing policy on public sector accountability and transparency” on Thursday July 11, 2024 at the Inter-agency Task Team (IATT) conference in Abuja, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede, reopened the debate about the imperative of effective engagement of whistle-blowers in the battle against corruption. Restarting the conversation, perhaps unwittingly, he identified some of the perceived weaknesses of the whistle-blower policy, which should be addressed, including the need for adequate safeguards for whistle-blowers to shield them from persecution or punishment. It was…

Adesuwa Ezenwa, a former employee of First Bank of Nigeria Limited, has leveled allegations of substantial fraud against billionaire industrialist Oba Otudeko, who served as the Chairman of FBN Holdings Plc, the bank’s parent company, according to PREMIUM TIMES Bisi Onasanya, who was the bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at the time, was also implicated in the allegations. Mrs. Ezenwa, who was summarily dismissed by the bank in October 2016, has taken legal action against First Bank at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Lagos Judicial Division. She is seeking redress for the termination of her appointment, which…

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared Tuesday, 20 August, 2024 as work-free day for public workers in the state to celebrate Isese Day, reports thegazellenews.com A circular signed by the state Head of Service, Bode Agoro stated that workers in the state public service have been given work-free day to celebrate the day which is marked as the day of celebration for traditional religions in the country. According to the circular, the gesture was a confirmation of the commitment of the state government to support traditional religions in promoting and presenting the cultures and customs of the people…

The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has assured public servants in the state that his administration would put measures in place to ensure that the backlog of promotion exercises is avoided. Abiodun made this known during the celebration of the year 2024 Public Service Week Symposium with the theme, “Building a Socially Responsive Public Service in the 21st Century: The Place of Ethics and Values,” held at the Oba’s Complex, Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. He assured public servants in the state that his administration will not neglect their contributions to the state. The Governor, who described Ethics and Values…

By Femi Ogbonnikan  More than ever before, it has now become imperative for the government to redouble its efforts to increase food production to ensure the stability of the polity and enduring peace in the country. In Ogun State, the renewed focus of the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun on the agricultural sector aims to boost employment generation, reduce poverty and enhance sustainable food self-sufficiency in the State. This is coming at the right time given the threat of hunger to national security. As a Yoruba wise saying goes, “Ohun ta’ o je l’ agbese ohun ta o se.” meaning…

President Bola Tinubu has issued a directive to reduce the size of Nigeria’s official delegation to the forthcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meetings in New York, United States. This directive was disclosed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, on Saturday, 17 August, 2024, in Abuja during a one-day retreat organised by the State House Management for heads of government agencies under its supervision. Addressing participants at the retreat, the Chief of Staff said the decision to streamline Nigeria’s delegation to the 79th Session of UNGA in September is part of the administration’s commitment to…

We have read various media accounts of the above in both the print and social media. We have also read and align with the very appropriate responses from Ogun State and the Federal Governments. At different levels, Government is a continuum and the various segments of events leading to this unfortunate situation occurred before, during and after our administration. Our administration assumed office on 29 May, 2011. Very shortly after we took office, two different sets of Chinese companies, Messrs China Africa Investment FXE and Zhongfu International Investment FXE laid claims to Management rights over the Ogun Guangdong Free Trade…

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, has stressed the need for public servants entrusted with the stewardship of public resources to demonstrate fiscal responsibility both in their professional capacities and personal lives. Ogbuku, who stated this in his keynote address during a seven-day personal financial management training programme for NDDC staff in Port Harcourt, noted that it was necessary to promote financial independence and inculcate feasible and sustainable personal financial management habits among the staff of the Commission. The training which was anchored on the theme: “Personal Financial Management Training: Strategies for Eliminating…

By Bayo Onanuga The National Council of State, a diverse body comprising former presidents, heads of government, chief justices of the federation, state governors, the secretary of the federal government, the attorney-general of the federation and the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, held its first meeting under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday, 13 August. This diverse composition underscores the council’s advisory role in shaping the nation’s policies and decisions, ensuring a broad spectrum of perspectives are considered. At its last meeting 18 months ago, the council was briefed by the INEC Chairman and the Inspector General of Police…

To improve the health and social well-being of Nigerians, drive economic development, and position Nigeria as a healthcare hub within Africa, President Bola Tinubu has launched the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA)-Healthcare Expansion Programme and the retraining of 120,000 frontline health workers. The first initiative – the Healthcare Expansion Programme – is a major milestone in the health sector as ten world-class healthcare facilities specializing in oncology and diagnostics will be established across the nation’s six geopolitical zones. This expansion builds upon the success of the NSIA’s previous projects, including the NSIA-Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Cancer Centre, the NSIA-Kano…

The Presidency is aware of the various failed attempts by a Chinese company, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, to take over offshore assets of the Federal Government of Nigeria through subterfuge. The Federal Government is not under any contractual obligation with the company. The case in which Zhongshan tries to use every unorthodox means to strip our offshore assets is between the company and the Ogun State Government. The Federal Government is fully aware of efforts being made by the Ogun State Government to reach an amicable resolution on the matter. It must be said without any equivocation that…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, wishes to clarify the reports in a section of the media today, August 14, 2024, purporting that the Commission donated N50 billion to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND from its recovery account. The said fund was not a donation by the Commission but part of the recovered proceeds of crime remitted to the government. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in furtherance of his social intervention policy for the most vulnerable segments of the population, decided in his wisdom, to plough the money into funding the critically acclaimed students loan scheme. It is not…