News File

14/08/2022

Nigeria needs a breath of fresh air. As Nigerian, do all you can to vote , and that wisely, in the coming general elections

26/06/2022

10/01/2022

National leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, ( APC) and former governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Tinubu, has declared his intention to contest for the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in 2023.

The APC national Leader said this on Monday after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State house Abuja.

Tinubu therefore refused to respond to questions about a potential race for the APC ticket between him and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo whose support groups have been mobilizing for his candidacy.

Tinubu explained that his ambition to be president of Nigeria had been a life-long ambition, noting that with what he did in Lagos in his time as governor, he has the capacity to rule Nigeria.

On Osinbajo’s potential ambition, the APC national leader maintained that he would not discuss any individual.

Asked why he would not remain a kingmaker rather than being the king, he said there is nothing that stops a kingmaker from becoming the king unless he has committed murder.

31/12/2021

NEW ZEALAND WELCOMES NEW YEAR.
New Zealand lit up with fireworks in Aukland as it ringed in the New Year, 2022. With the Omicron virus surging across India and the world.

New Zealand is about twelve hours ahead of Nigeria while 2 main islands, North Island and South Island, both lie in the same time zone.

The Chatham Islands, located about 860 kilometers (534 miles) east of Christchurch, have a separate time zone, which is 45 minutes ahead of mainland New Zealand.

Australia is the next to reach 2022 being about ten hours ahead of Nigeria.

As Nigeria bids farewell to the old year on Friday, the night might be much quieter around the country with curbs kicking in across all states.

31/12/2021

The Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy has further extended the deadline forll the National Identification Number, NIN-Subscriber Information Module, SIM, data verification, to March 31, 2022.

This the government said follows requests by citizens, legal residents and Nigerians in Diaspora, adding that the extension would enable government improve on the gains of the process and fast track the enrollment in remote areas.

The deadline for the National Identification Number, NIN-Subscriber Information Module, SIM, data verification had been slated for December 31, 2021.

In a statement by the head of corporate Communications of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, as at December 30, 2021, the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC had issued Seventy One Million NINs with over Fourteen thousand enrollment centres set up across the country.

The statement further added that the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC has established enrollment centres in over thirty one countries, to enable Nigerians abroad enroll for the National Identification Number.

26/12/2021

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Nobel Peace prize laureate who helped end apartheid in South Africa, has died aged 90.

His death was confirmed in a statement by South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa.

It marked "another chapter of bereavement in our nation's farewell to a generation of outstanding South Africans who have bequeathed us a liberated South Africa," he said.

Tutu was one of the country's best known figures at home and abroad.

25/12/2021

Top government officials and some Personal aides to President Muhammadu buhari have been hit by the Covid 19 pandemic.

Sources within the Presidency who confirmed this on Saturday said that apart from the permanent secretary in the State House Tijani Umar who has been infected, the President’s Aide-de-camp (ADC), Yusuf Dodo; his Chief Security Officer (CSO), Aliyu Musa, and his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, whose results were confirmed positive during the week are also down with the Virus.

The source who would not want his name mentioned also confirmed that other officials within the President have been directed to go for test to ascertain their statuses.

The Minister of information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, is also reported to have contracted the virus.

However, sources in the Villa confirmed that the affected officials are currently in isolation and are receiving medical attention.

The President's aide de camp, Yusuf dodo was not sighted yesterday nor accompanied the President to the National Security Council meeting held on Friday.

11/12/2021

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26/11/2021

The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, on Friday, November 26, 2021, affirmed the forfeiture of a $40 million worth of jewelry, belonging to a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, to the Federal Government.

Justice I.N. Oweibo of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos , had, on Tuesday, September 10, 2019, ordered the final forfeiture of the jewelry and a customized gold Iphone valued at $40m belonging to Allison-Madueke, to the Federal Government.

The Judge had, earlier on July 5, 2019, granted the interim forfeiture of the properties, following an ex parte application filed by The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

19/11/2021

The newly passed Electoral Act Amendment bill 2021 has been transmitted to President Muhammadu Buhari for his assent.

Senior Special assistant to the President on National assembly matters(SENATE) Senator babajide Omoworare confirmed this in a Statement on Friday.

The statement reads: Pls be informed that in pursuance of Section 58 (3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the Acts Authentication Act Cap. A2 LFN 2004, the National Assembly has transmitted the Electoral Bill 2021 to Mr. President today Friday November 19, 2021.

With the transmission of the bill to the President, Nigerians now await when the President will sign the bill into law.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila had on Thursday after a meeting with President Muhammadu said expressed confidence that the President will soon sign into law the Electoral Act Amendment Bill that contains direct primaries for all political parties.

15/11/2021

Younger brother of Africa's richest man, Alike DANGOTE, and Vice President of Dangote Group, Sani Dangote has died in a United States hospital on Sunday night.

According to reports, he died on Sunday evening after a protracted illness.

Sani was a businessman with more than 30 years of experience in manufacturing, agriculture, and oil services.

He sat on the boards of several Dangote companies, including Dangote Cement, Dangote Sugar, Dangote Refinery, Fertiliser company, Dangote Agro Sacks, and Petrochemical.

Sani was better known for his role as the chairman of a subsidiary of the Dangote Group, Dansa Holdings, which produces beverages.

Dansa Holdings encompasses Dansa Foods Limited, Dansa Energy, and Dansa Agro Allied Limited.

He also owned Sagas Energy Limited, Bulk Pack Services Limited, and Dangote Farms Limited.

Sani was a member of several Chambers of Commerce and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Shipping of Nigeria.

14/11/2021

The Federal Government has described the allegation by a US-based non-profit organization, that the Nigerian government is a sponsor of terrorism as a disgusting distraction orchestrated by those seeking to weaken the ongoing onslaught against terrorism and banditry.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed who reacted through a Statement said the Global Advocates for
Terrorism Eradication (GATE) is an irritant that should be ignored, Wondering why the Government that is tackling the twin evil of terrorism and banditry will be accused of sponsoring terrorism.

Lai Mohammed noted the fact that GATE, in making its allegation, relied on the words of a former Nigerian Navy intelligence officer has shown
the hollowness of its allegation.

10/11/2021

Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Professor Chukwuma Soludo has been declared winner of the Anambra Governorship Election.
Soludo polled a total of 112,229 votes to emerge winner.

The declaration was made on Wednesday by the election Returning Officer, Professor Florence Obih and Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar.

The now Governor-elect contested the election on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA with eighteen other candidates.

Soludo's closest rival, Valentine Ozigbo of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP secured a total of 53,807 votes in the exercise.

The governorship election, conducted on Saturday, November 6, was declared inconclusive following reports of no election in One out of the twenty one Local Government Areas, forcing the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to conduct a supplementary poll at the affected area.

06/11/2021

President Muhammadu Buhari has sympathized with the government and people of Sierra Leone, following the fuel tanker explosion in Freetown, the country’s capital in which at least 99 people were killed and more than 100 injured.

The tragic incident happened late on Friday when a fuel tanker exploded following a collision, and many people rushed to the scene to siphon petrol.

President Buhari in a statement issued by his senior special assistant on media and publicity garba shehu said he is anguished by the unfortunate loss of lives and injury to so many.

The President offered condolences on behalf of the government and people of Nigeria to the bereaved families, the government and people of Sierra Leone and wished the injured early recovery.

05/11/2021

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has denied online media reports Linking him to the collapsed high-rise building on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi which has left over 40 people dead and many others Injured.

Some online media platforms, Particularly Sahara reporters had on Thursday reported that the vice president owns the land upon which the collapsed building in Ikoyi stood.

The Report also stated that the said land was sold to him by Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, Chairman of Elizade Motors; and that, the Vice President, at some point, intervened with the regulatory authorities in Lagos State to unseal the said property

But Osinbajo in a statement issued by his senior special assistant on media and publicity Laolu Akande on Friday said he does not own and has never owned the said land.

Osinbajo explained that He has also never been involved, in any shape or form, in the development of the property or any other land since he became Vice President.

He added that at no time whatsoever did he buy the property or any other piece of land from Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, or entered into any transaction for the sale of that land or any other piece of land from Chief Ade-Ojo or anyone for that matter.

The Vice President condoled with the families and relatives of all those who have died, were injured or affected in the collapse and considers the painful loss of lives a horrible tragedy.

The statement added that All property and assets owned by the Vice President have been publicly declared.

It also noted that the Vice President has never spoken to the Governor of Lagos State or any other official of the State Government regarding the unsealing of the said building on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, which subsequently collapsed and has, indeed, never acted to influence any other regulatory action on the collapsed building, or any other building for that matter, in Lagos State.

The Vice President restated categorically that he has no interest whatsoever, and has never had any interest, either legally or beneficially, in the land, the building or development.

He said the wickedness and viciousness of a lie that seeks to utilise a tragedy where so many people have lost their lives, even as rescue efforts are ongoing, and in wanton disregard to the feelings and untold grief of their loved ones for political gain, reveals a dangerous desperation, as well as the heartlessness of the perpetrators of such despicable lies.

The Vp noted that Sahara Reporters were undoubtedly well rewarded for their criminal and inhumane conduct describing the publication as Typical of a hatchet job and deliberately irresponsible journalism which he said was not signed by anyone.

The Vice President said he has referred the disgraceful publication to his lawyers for prompt legal action.

05/11/2021

The Federal Capital territory police command has confirmed the safe release of six persons abducted from the University of Abuja, early hours of Tuesday, November 2, 2021.

The Command's spokesperson, Josephine Adeh who confirmed the release to newsman says no ransom was paid to secure their release.

Also, the spokesman of the university, Habeeb Yakoob while confirming the release to reporters at 8:40am this Friday morning said there is wild jubilation on campus as the news broke.

Habeeb said the trauma over the abduction was already affecting the psychology of staff, student and entire university community.

Six persons including professor obasan and his child were abducted on Tuesday from their house in the uniabuja staff quarters located at Giri, gwagwalada in the FCT.

05/11/2021

The body of the Managing Director, Fourscore Homes, Femi Osibona, has been recovered in the rubble of the collapsed Ikoyi building.

Fourscore Homes is the firm constructing the 21-storey building which collapsed on Monday, on Gerrard Road in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The National Emergency Management Agency confirmed this to TheCable on Thursday evening after rescuers discovered the body.

So far, authorities have announced 39 recovered bodies from the rubble.

18/10/2021

Prince Matthew Alhaji Opaluwa as has been announced as the new Ata Igala by the Kogi State Government.

This announcement is coming one year after the death of the late Ata, His Riyal Majesty, Late Michael Ameh Oboni the second, and the inability of the four ruling houses to resolve the lingering crises surrounding the selection of a new First Class Monarch for the Igala kingdom.

04/10/2021

The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESIDENT DOCTORS HAS SUSPENDED ITS 62- DAY-OLD STRIKE ON COMPASSIONATE GROUNDS.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION GODIYA ISHAYA IN A TELEPHONE CONVERSATION WITH AIT SAID GOVERNMENT HAS IMPLEMENTED SOME OF THEIR DEMANDS WHILE OTHERS ARE STILL PENDING.

HE NOTED THAT WORK WILL OFFICIALLY RESUME ON THE 6TH OF OCTOBER 2021.

RECALL THAT THE DOCTORS EMBARKED ON STRIKE SINCE THE 2ND OF AUGUST 2021.

30/09/2021

Nigeria's main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has zoned its 2023 presidential ticket to Southern Nigeria and the National Chairmanship position to the North.

The PDP's National Zoning Committee resolved that the South-West, South-East and South-South will swap their current national party offices with North-West, North-East, and North-Central in that order.

Recall that the Committee chaired by Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi adjourned its meeting till today for consultation when members could not agree on the zoning last week.

20/09/2021

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ondo State chapter, has embraced the feedlot operational system as alternative to open grazing, saying it will help them increase their profit and end the age-long acrimony with the farmers.

MACBAN State Secretary, Ahmed Danna, said this, at the weekend, in Akure at the end of a five-day training for corporate bodies, general public and other stakeholders with interest in agricultural value-chain business with special emphasis on feedlot operational system.

It was organised by Ondo State Agricbusiness Empowerment Centre (OSAEC), in collaboration with Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), to train and certify 150 pastoralists in cattle, sheep and goat value-chain business.

MACBAN State Secretary, who is also the Secretary of the cattle dealers in the state, urged the national body and other cattle rearers to try the initiative put in place by Ondo State government.

19/09/2021

Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Dr Obadiah Mailafiya is dead.

A family member who confirmed his death to newsmen said Mailafiya died on Sunday morning at about 8am after a brief illness.

Mailafiya who hails from Sanga Local Government in Southern Kaduna was aged 56.

16/09/2021

Nigeria's Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani Kayode has dumped the People's Democratic Party PDP, for the Governing All Progressives Congress, APC.

Fani Kayode was formally received by President Muhammadu Buhari at
the the state House in company with Chairman, Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning committee of the APC, and Governor of Yobe State Mai Mala Buni as well as the Zamfara State Governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle.

16/09/2021

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, says it's chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa is hale and hearty.

In a statement by the commission's Head, Media & Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, This clarification became necessary following an incident this friday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja where Bawa suddenly slumped while giving a goodwill message at

The National Identity Day celebration.
The statement added that He has since received medical attention and is due back at his desk.

16/09/2021

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa has slumped at the third National Identity Day celebration holding at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa Abuja.

Bawa who was delivering a goodwill speech, suddenly paused midway while trying to narrate how the commission arrested a man in Ibadan with 120 SIM cards, saying “this is where I will stop” and staggered back, stretching out on his seat.

Minister of communications and digital economy Isa Pantami and other dignitaries held him and after some time, he was led out of the hall

Forty year old Bawa, holds a B.Sc in Economics, and Masters in International Affairs and Diplomacy He was Head of Operations at the Commission’s Lagos office before his recent appointment as EFCC chairman, replacing Ibrahim Magu

05/09/2021

Heavy gunfire erupted early on Sunday morning near the presidential palace in Guinea’s capital, Conakry for hours, raising security concerns in the West African nation, with a long history of military power grabs and coup attempts.

It is not clear what is behind the shooting, and authorities conakry have not commented.

The district of Kaloum is reported to be deserted as terrified residents heed soldiers' orders to stay at home.

A senior government official told Reporters that President Alpha Condé was unharmed but gave no further details.

The only bridge connecting the mainland to the Kaloum peninsular, which houses most ministries and the presidential palace, had been sealed off and many soldiers, some heavily armed, were posted around the palace.

There are unconfirmed reports that three soldiers have been killed.

President Condé was re-elected for a third term in office amid violent protests last year.

05/09/2021

GSM operators shut down their base stations in Zamfara state, on Saturday, In compliance with the directive of the Nigerian Communications Commission that all telecom sites in Zamfara State be shut down due to the “pervading security situation” in the state.

A source in the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria confirmed that all the telcos had complied with the directive.

Zamfara State has about 248 base stations, which have now been shut down.

With the implementation of the directive, residents of Zamfara State will be unable to make calls, send text messages or even browse the internet.

02/09/2021

The former Minister of Power, Mamman Sallah has reportedly collapsed and is receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Abuja.

Sallah was said to have collapsed and was rushed to the hospital shortly after he recieved news of his sack.

A family source disclosed that, “he collapsed yesterday and was immediately hospitalised.”. Mamman, alongside the Minister of Agriculture, lost their positions as ministers.

Mamman has been Nigeria’s Minister of Power since 2019.

02/09/2021

Enugu State House of Assembly has passed the bill for a law to prohibit open grazing, regulate cattle ranching into law.

The House had, on Tuesday, conducted a public hearing on the bill, which was applauded by stakeholders in attendance.

Although, the leadership of the Northern Community in Enugu State had said during the hearing that they would support any law that will bring peace and security in the state, they urged the House to give them 30 days to articulate their position on the bill and submit to the House.

The South East zonal Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Gidado Siddiki, who made the submission of the Northern Community in Enugu, had said, “I plead for a period of one month to enable us come out with a position that will truly carry our disposition with due consideration to the good of Enugu State and Nigeria.”.

Passing the Bill into law during the plenary on Thursday, the Speaker, Edward Ubosi, said the bill was not targeted on any group or individuals but for the peace and security of residents of Enugu State.

02/09/2021

Kogi State Government says the order of the Lagos Federal High Court freezing the state government's accounts was based on blatant lies and falshood by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) to malign the integrity of the administration of Governor Yahaya Bello.

The State government further denied operating any Fixed Deposit Account with Sterling Bank into which it diverted N19 billion bail out fund it received in 2019 for the payment of workers salaries.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday,, Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo said the EFCC misled the court to grant the ex-parte Order by fraudulently representing to the court that Sterling bank Account(0073572696) is a fixed Deposit Account operated by the Kogi State government.

Kogi State goverrnment said it does not have any N19.3 billion lodged with Sterling Bank or indeed anywhere else in a fixed Deposit Account.

The government said it at no time gave Sterling Bank any instruction to that effect; pointing out that it has finished disbursing the bail out fund for salaries as at the 23rd of July, 2019 and that by 31st of August 2021 when the Court issued the ex-parte order the cumulative amount it has in both the salary and bail out accounts with Sterling Bank was a meagre N46 million.

To buttress his points,
the Kogi State Commissioner for Information presented various bank statements and other salary documents as evidence of how the bail out fund was disbursed.

Armed with all of these evidence, the state government said it is still in shock how the EFCC arrived at the falshood it used to secure the order freezing an account that did not even exist and will stop at nothing to take up the matter in court with the anti-graft agaency and prove to the world and especially the people of Kogi State that its hands are clean.