A FORMER Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, has denied knowing a contractor, James Okwete, who was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly laundering N37bn. News Point Nigeria reports that she also said she served as a minister with every sense of responsibility and would defend her actions whenever called upon to do so. Umar-Farouk made the rebuttal in the early hours of Tuesday in a message posted on her official X handle (formerly Twitter) and Instagram page. A national newspaper had reported that details of an ongoing EFCC probe…
Author: Maimuna Bashir Isa
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THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has deleted an Instagram post quoting a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke, as speaking on money laundering charges brought against her. The social media post earlier seen by our correspondent claimed that the former minister spoke in an interview with journalists in the United Kingdom. However, further checks by our correspondent on Saturday revealed that the unsigned post had been pulled down from the anti-graft agency’s official Instagram handle. Meanwhile, when contacted over the development, the spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, denied the report, while noting that the report didn’t emanate…
THE Market Traders Association of Nigeria (MATAN) is partnering with the Bank Of Industry (BOI) for loans and other empowerment facilities for its members. According to Ige,“we are also partnering with Bank of Industry (BOI) to ensure that every small business owners have access to loans and other empowerment facilities. This was made known by the MATAN National Coordinator of Incentives, Moses Ige during the unveiling of the Federal Inland Revenue Service’s (FIRS) Integrated Market Revenue Management System (IMRMS), a purpose-built digital platform, to capture the informal sector, especially market traders in the federal government’s tax net. Under the arrangement,…
THE Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), marked a significant milestone Thursday with the inauguration of its sixth Governing Board at the Federal Ministry of Works, Conference Room, Abuja. The Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. (Engr.) David Umahi, led the inauguration ceremony, extending congratulations to the appointed Board Members on their selection by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The Minister emphasized the pivotal role of the Board in advancing FERMA’s mandate and aligning with the Federal Government’s renewed hope agenda for road infrastructure. Highlighting the administration’s commitment to addressing road challenges, Sen. Umahi revealed President Tinubu’s approval of a supplementary budget for…
NO fewer than 250 police, military retirees, and other senior citizens across the country will be supported with a N950m by the wife of the President, Mrs Remi Tinubu. According to her, each of the beneficiaries will receive N100,000. Tinubu disclosed this at the maiden edition of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme on Thursday in Abuja. She noted that the scheme is to cushion the effect of the economic situation on senior citizens. Tinubu said, “This economic empowerment programme is borne out of a steadfast commitment to the well-being of our elderly citizens and it marks a significant…
THE FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has directed the Director, Department of Development Control to ensure that Nuwalege community, along the Airport Road gives way for the presidential fleet plot. The directive follows the request from the Nigerian Air Force. Speaking through the Director, Mukhtar Galadima during a community and citizen engagement on Tuesday in Abuja, the minister hinted that, it becomes imperative that the community give way for development According to him, “About a month ago, the authority of the Nigerian Air Force wrote to the honourable minister on their needs and desire to remove this village, because it is…
THE Managing Director/CEO of Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Engr. Chukwuemeka Agbasi, FNSE, Tuesday, flagged off the Yuletide easy passage programme tagged “Operation Connect Your Destination” on the Abuja-Keffi dual carriage way. According to a statement by the Director, Information, Maryam M Sanusi made available to News Point Nigeria, Tuesday, the Abuja-Keffi road is the major route connecting the entire North-Central to the Federal Capital Territory and other parts of the country. Speaking at the event, Engr. Agbasi said FERMA is strategically positioned to improve the economy of the country and the intention of the Agency is to improve on…
THE Minister of State for Education, Yusuf Sununu, has lamented the growing number of out-of-school children (OOSC) in Northern Nigeria, deeming it “unacceptable” and “disheartening.” Speaking on Monday at the Bauchi State 2023 Education Summit at Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar Hajj Camp in Bauchi, Sununu stated that there is an urgent need for concerted efforts to address and reverse the troubling trend. “The rising figure of out-of-school children in Nigeria and most particularly in the northern part of Nigeria is not only unacceptable but disheartening. “There must be concerted efforts to address and reverse the trend of this time-bomb phenomenon. At…
FIRST Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, on Sunday, said that learning and education are veritable weapons in the fight against terrorism and criminality by individuals and communities. Also First Lady Tinubu, through her pet-project, the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), gave N4 million scholarship grants and four brand new laptops to four of the five rescued Federal University Dutsin-Ma students, who visited her at the State House, Abuja. She said: “I join a cheerful nation to welcome our beloved daughters home as you re-unite with your families. We grieved over the sad fate that had befallen you and we join your family to…
THE Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar would be leading a high level delegation from the country to the forthcoming 10th High-Level Seminar (HLS) on Peace and Security in Africa, scheduled to hold from 17th – l8th December 2023, in Oran, Algeria. According to a statement signed by the Minister’s Special Assistant, Media and Communication Strategy, Alkassim Abdulkadir , Saturday, in Iine with the established practice, this year’s High-level seminar on Peace and Security in Africa (the Oran Ministerial Process) will be chaired by H.E. Dr. Mamadou TANGARA, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad of the…
THE First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, has with wives of state governors in Abuja. Addressing the governors’ wives on Thursday in a statement signed by her SA Media, Busola Kukoyi, Senator Tinubu noted that it has become imperative for the forum to be held so that she can update them on issues especially as they affect the Nation. “In recent times, I have been sharing experiences from the First Ladies of other nations to help me position myself appropriately for the task ahead. Some of the things I discovered were that HIV/AIDS is still very prevalent in Nigeria”. “Estimates from…
THE immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, on Monday paid a courtesy visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari in his hometown in Daura, Katsina State. The Special Adviser on Media and Communication to the Ex-governor, Muyiwa Adekeye, shared photos from the visit on his X account on Monday. According to Adekeye, El- rufai’s visit to Buhari is the first since both of them left office on May, 29th, 2023, the former Governor was accompanied to Daura by some of his former aides including his former Honorary Adviser, Jimi Lawal, and Hafiz Bayero, former administrator Kaduna Capital Development Authority.…
THE FCT Administration on Monday raised the alarm over safety concerns and poor sanitation in Utako Market, threatening to shut it down to avert the epidemic. Utako Market is said to be one of the largest markets located in Utako district, within Abuja’s city centre, and is being managed by the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC). The Director, Department of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, who is also the leader of the taskforce, said the discovery about the deteriorated sanitation situation in Utako Market was disturbing. Galadima said the market had become a “time bomb and disaster waiting to happen”. He…
A YOUTH Group, Arewa Youth Vanguard has called on the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) to be cautious of interference by Kogi state governor, Yahaya Bello into the leadership of the ACF. According to a statement signed by the National Leader and General Secretary, Alh. Abdulsamad Babayo and Kazayat Aminu respectively, Monday, Gov Bello is mortally trying to injure the ACF through the unwarranted attempt to remove Chief Arc. Gabriel Aduku, its Chairman who assumed the office only recently. See full statement below: Press Statement Our attention has been drawn to overt and covert measures orchestrated by Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the…
DANGOTE Cement Plc, last weekend, inducted 81 trainees in its Graduate Trainee programme to boost employment in the country. The company, it would be recalled, since the beginning of the programme, has inducted hundreds of such trainees into its service, across its African operations. The Company also has rewarded its outstanding staff with ‘long Service Award’ and ‘Hall of Wall of Fame Employee Award’ for embracing the Dangote Cement core values of customer care, entrepreneurship, excellence and leadership quality. The staff that were awarded, with significant monetary value, has spent a minimum of five years in the employment of Dangote…
SURVIVOR of the tragic Sosoliso plane crash 18 years ago and America’s Got Talent star, Kechi Okwuchi, has paid a tribute to the 60 schoolmates lost in the devastating incident. In an X post on Sunday, Kechi asked the 60 angels to keep watching over her and one other who survived, as she made more memories for them. Kechi wrote, “Dear 60 Angels, 18 years have passed since the Sosoliso plane crash that took your lives among other dear souls while sparing mine and 1 other. “Another year, another new set of milestones. All for you. Please keep watching over…
THE management of the Nigeria Customs Service said it has approved the promotion of 357 men in the service. Announcing this in a statement on Saturday, the National Public Relations Officer of the service, Abdullahi Maiwada, said that the decision was taken during the 7th NCS’s management meeting, chaired by the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi. Maiwada said that the beneficiaries were from the ranks of Customs Assistant I to Inspector of Customs. He added that the comprehensive promotion list encompasses both the General Duty and Support Staff personnel who excelled in the 2023 promotion exercise. “The breakdown of…
THE Central Bank of Nigeria has warned Nigerians to be wary of counterfeit naira notes in circulation amid reports of currency shortage in the country. In a statement released on Friday titled ‘Beware of Counterfeit Naira Banknotes in Circulation,’ the apex bank advised Deposit Money Banks, Financial Houses, Bureau de Change, and the public to be vigilant and implement necessary precautions. The Central Bank assures the public that it is working with law enforcement operatives to apprehend those responsible for circulating counterfeit currency. The statement, in part, said, “The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been drawn…
THE Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) has denied that the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) attempted to forcefully abduct the former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, from the custody of Nigeria Correctional Centre, Kuje Abuja. The Controller General of the NCS, Haliru Nababa made the denial when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions on Thursday. His appearance followed a petition by the Centre for Social Justice, Equity, and Transparency which alleged that the EFCC and DSS attempted to forcefully remove Emefiele from custody. Nababa,…
THE National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has secured the release of two more female prospective corps members who were kidnapped in Zamfara State while traveling to the orientation camp in Sokoto. This brings the total number of released victims to four, with four still held captive. News Point Nigeria reports that eight Corps Members were abducted in Zamfara on August 17 on their way from Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, to Sokoto. However, the Nigerian Army recently secured the release of a male and a female abductee. NYSC, in a press statement on Thursday, signed by Eddy Megwa, the…