THE Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa has charged the Motherland 2025 Initiative Committee to work assiduously to ensure the success of the project aimed at bringing back Nigerians in the diaspora and drastically curbing the migration of its citizens to other countries. According to a statement by the Special Adviser, Media to the Minister, Nneka Ikem Anibeze, Friday, the Minister gave the charge on Thursday when she inaugurated the committee to drive the project in Abuja. She stated that Motherland 2025 Initiative is aimed at positioning Nigeria as a premier global…
Author: Maimuna Bashir Isa
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THE Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is to formally launch the Accountability and Corruption Prevention Programme for Local Governments in Nigeria (CPP-LG), aimed at tackling systemic corruption and promoting transparency at the grassroots level in the country. This development follows recent legal affirmations of local government autonomy, which are expected to strengthen their financial independence and operational efficiency. The Chairman of ICPC, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, who revealed the plan on Wednesday during a summit organised by the Gombe State government on “Local Government Autonomy, Fiscal Responsibility, and Sustainable Development,” explained that the initiative will…
THE Department for Combating Illegal Migration in Libya has deported A total of 48 Nigerian women and two children with the assistance of Nigeria’s consular services and support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The repatriation operation was carried out via Mitiga International Airport, ensuring the safe return of the migrants to their home country. The initiative is part of ongoing efforts to assist Nigerian nationals facing hardship abroad, particularly in conflict-prone regions such as Libya. Migrant Rescue Watch made this known in a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday. The statement said, “DCIM repatriated from Tripoli…
THE Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa has urged young writers to compete in the ongoing ‘Voices of Our Heritage’ writing competition. The contest which is open to Nigerian pupils and students between 10-18 years old is an online national project, in collaboration with Bribooks, aimed at fostering creativity, imagination, and cultural diversity appreciation among young minds. According to Minister Musawa, “The ‘Voices of Our Heritage’ writing competition is a vital initiative that will help discover and nurture budding literary talents in Nigeria. “We are committed to empowering young participants to create, publish,…
A FEDERAL High Court in Abuja on Monday, granted an application by former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke, to amend her suit challenging the order obtained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for final forfeiture of her seized assets. Justice Inyang Ekwo granted the request after the motion was moved by Diezani’s lawyer, Godwin Inyinbor, and the EFCC’s counsel, Divine Oguru, did not oppose it. When the matter was called, Inyinbor, who appeared for Diezani, informed the court that they had already filed a motion for amendment of their originating process and the defendant had been duly served.…
THE freeze in billions of dollars in global funding for the United States’ health and education projects in countries of the world including Nigeria continues to dominate global discussions. There have been palpable fears on the continental scene that the decision of the Donald Trump presidency to halt the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will reverse the compounded gains achieved in the global fight and campaign against diseases and infections such as malaria, tuberculosis, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and its advanced stage, the Acquired Immuno-deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). On Channels Television’s Hard Copy programme, Prof Ali Pate, Nigeria’s Coordinating…
THE Canadian High Commission in Nigeria has acknowledged media reports concerning the visa denials of senior Nigerian military officials, including the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa. This was contained in a statement issued by the Commission in Nigeria on Friday. This newspaper reports that the officials had been invited to an event in Canada honouring war veterans. While some members of the delegation received visas, others were denied entry, causing disappointment and frustration. Musa shared his experience at the maiden annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies in Abuja on Thursday, expressing his…
MARYAM Abacha American University of Nigeria (MAAUN), Kano, has made history as the first university in Nigeria to be granted corporate membership of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR). The feat was marked by the induction of 50 Mass Communication students of the University into the student membership cadre of the NIPR. The induction ceremony, held on Thursday at the School of Social and Management Sciences in MAAUN, was presided over by a Council Member of NIPR and Chairman, Board of Directors of Image Merchant Promotion Limited (IMPR), Dr Sule Yau Sule. He lauded MAAUN for prioritising professional development,…
THE Taraba State Government has dismissed reports alleging that Governor Agbu Kefas diverted over ₦100 billion to a retired general. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Information and Reorientation, Zainab Usman, described the claim as “an outright falsehood with no factual basis.” “The governor has not handed over such an amount of money to any individual for any reason whatsoever. Instead, the government is repaying loans inherited from past administrations while making significant strides in infrastructure and service delivery,” she added. The statement also refuted allegations that local government intervention funds had been misappropriated. “Just last week,…
THE Exam Ethics Marshals International has stated that 67 per cent of Nigerian private and public secondary schools operate as examination magic centres, popularly known as “miracle centres.” It, however, encouraged parents to enforce the government’s ban on levies in public schools, by refusing to pay any illegal fees and reporting such to the authorities. Founding Chairman of the group, Ike Onyechere, who made the revelation yesterday at a press conference in Abuja, noted that most of the ‘miracle centres’ operate as syndicates with a membership that covers the chain of critical actors in the school and examination administration process.…
THE Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has set up another committee to tackle the influx of Almajiri’s in the metropolis. The FCT Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, made this disclosure while briefing journalists after a closed-door security meeting chaired by the FCT Minister. He explained that this move by the minister is to ensure security agencies are abreast with details of Almajiri’s especially their activities which include welfare and schooling. Though he dismissed questions bordering on security threats in the nation’s capital, Disu appealed to residents to be security conscious and report any suspicious activity to security…
NIGERIA’s largest telecom operator, MTN, has commenced the gradual implementation of a 50 per cent tariff increase approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission in January. The adjustment, which is evident in the updated prices of data plans, leaves call and SMS rates unaffected for the time being. A senior executive from MTN, who doesn’t want to be mentioned, confirmed the development in a conversation with our correspondent on Tuesday. “Yes, we’ve started updating our price lists. “However, this process is gradual, and we haven’t completed it for all products yet”, the source said. The price adjustments primarily affect several data…
THE Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, in partnership with Discover Motherland Africa, has unveiled Motherland 2025, a groundbreaking initiative that positions Nigeria as a hub for African culture, investment, and tourism. At the launch held at the Abuja Continental Hotel on Monday, the Minister, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa described the Motherland 2025 project as more than a festival. She stated that the transformative initiative aligns with the Federal Ministry’s Destination 2030: Nigeria Everywhere strategy, leveraging Nigeria’s rich heritage, economy, and tourism potential to drive global engagement. “Motherland 2025 is more than a festival—it’s a homecoming. A…
THE Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has appointed Commissioner of Police (CP), Abayomi Shogunle, to head the Special Intervention Squad (SIS); Elections Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation; and Safe School Protection Squad. The appointment, IGP said is a strategic move aimed at bolstering internal security and swifter responses to violent crimes, the IGP has also appointed CSP Chima Ogarashi as the new Force Marine Officer (FMO). Egbetokun said is part of initiatives to improve security and combat crime along the inland waterways. According to a statement issued on Friday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi: “The new…
FORMER Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai has questioned Governor Uba Sani’s loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He was reacting to Sani’s remarks during an interview on TVC on Monday. Sani expressed surprise at the growing criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration by some founding members of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Reacting via his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday, El-Rufai alleged that Sani’s steadfast support for Tinubu was linked to over N150 billion of federal reimbursements granted to Kaduna State in the past 18 months. “Every day I see this governor embarrassingly and sycophantically rambling, I used to…
THE Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has summoned Kenya Airways over a social media video showing a heated exchange between a Nigerian passenger and Kenya Airways staff at the transfer desk of the airline in Nairobi, Kenya. The development followed a stiff criticism of the passenger by the airline, which accused the Nigerian traveller of behaving inappropriately to its employees by removing and throwing three used sanitary pads at them. A video of the intense exchange between a Kenya Airways staff and a Nigerian passenger, Gloria Omisore, travelling from Lagos to Nairobi, Paris and Manchester via the carrier, surfaced on…
THE federal government has said it has heightened surveillance especially at the points of entry following the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Uganda. The Nigeria Centre of Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) on Sunday in a public advisory confirmed that there is currently no case of the virus, but warned that the country is at moderate risk. This means that without mitigation, Ebola is likely to occur in Nigeria, with potential for significant public health consequences, hence the need to take the necessary precautions, the Centre explained. Ebola virus disease, formerly known as Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever, is a…
ABUJA-BASED Baze University has appointed veteran educationalist, administrator, and scholar, Professor Jamila Shu’ara, as the new Vice-Chancellor for a five-year tenure. The private University also announced Professor Abiodun Adeniyi as the new Registrar, while Dr. Dogo Mohammed Waziri was reappointed as the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Baze University Hospital. It said the new set of leaders are to drive the university’s next innovation stage in an increasingly sophisticated world of knowledge production, impartation and sharing. Chancellor and founder of the University, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, made the announcements at a media briefing after the 37th University Board of Trustees…
THE verbal crossfire between former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai and presidential media aide Daniel Bwala continued on Thursday when the ex-governor said he would have still excoriate the All Progressives Congress (APC) if were in the cabinet of President Bola Tinubu as a minister. On Monday, El-Rufai spoke at a national conference in Abuja, saying he no longer recognise the APC and that the party has tended toward a one-man show. “You cannot afford to have illiterates, semi-illiterates, and cunning people as your leaders. This is why we end up with the poor leadership we have today,” he had…
THE Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says it will not conduct admissions for the Law programme in some select universities following the suspension of the Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) programme by the Council of Legal Education (CLE) for the 2025/2026 academic session at the universities. The JAMB Spokesperson, Dr Fabian Benjamin, who stated this in a statement on Wednesday, listed the affected universities to include Kwara State University, Malete, Kwara State, Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State and Redeemers University, Ede, Osun State. Others are Western Delta University, Oghara, Delta State, Taraba State University, Jalingo, Taraba State, Arthur Jarvis University,…