Author: Maimuna Bashir Isa

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…

PROTESTERS on Wednesday stormed the National Assembly premises in Abuja, over the killing of many innocent citizens by a military drone on Sunday. The protesters, who besieged the National Assembly entrance gate for over two hours, demanded justice for victims of the bombing and asked the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, to either live up to his responsibility or throw in the towel. This newspaper had reported how over 90 villagers of Tudun Biri in Rigasa District of Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State were killed when a drone of the Nigerian Army bombed a gathering of residents who…

THE world superpowers are urged to save Nigeria’s democracy based on the dimension of the ongoing election cases before the courts. A pressure group, Nigeria Democratic Vanguard, established to enhance democracy in the country, made this assertion in a letter dated November 27, 2023, addressed to the President of the United States on Nigeria, Joe Biden; the President of France, Emmunuel Macron, and the England Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak. The letter, tittled “Dark Clouds Over Nigeria’s Democracy And Consequences For The West Africa Subcontitent” and signed by Chairman of the group, Mustapha Rabiu Salisu and the Secretary, Rabiu Tahir, reads…

ETHOPIAN Airline has said passengers boarding any of its flights from Nigeria won’t be allowed to bring ‘Ghana-must-go’ bags. Ghana-must-go bags are popular sac-like load carriers in Nigeria that come in different sizes and colours and are preferred by many travelers due to their durability and affordability. According to a letter seen by our correspondent on Friday but dated November 24, 2023, and addressed to the Regional Manager of the Federal Airports Authority Of Nigeria, the ban took effect from November 25, 2023. It noted, “Please be informed that effective November 25, 2023, the usage of Ghana Must Go to…

THE Federal Government on Thursday said a new minimum wage regime would come into effect on April 1, 2024. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed, who disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja, said the current N30,000 minimum wage would expire at the end of March 2024. Mohammed said this on Thursday as an analysis of the 2024 –2026 Fiscal Framework budgets by our correspondents indicated that the Federal Government would spend N24.66tn on salaries in 2024, 2025, and 2026. Following the removal of the fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2023,…

THE Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has demolished a mini-market in the Mabushi area of Abuja where the forgery of vehicle papers and other critical documents was being carried out. The market, located near the FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), was demolished on Wednesday following reports of illicit activities as the market was said to have been infiltrated by fraudulent merchants whose stock in trade is to collaborate with some government staff to produce fake vehicle papers and number plates. Dr Abdullateef Bello, Director of DRTS, revealed that the demolition came as a result of multiple intelligence reports…

THE Jigawa state chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Monday congratulated the new president of the association, Comrade Aisha Ibrahim Bura for emerging winner in the just concluded election. In a message signed by its chairperson, Comrade Hauwa Ibrahim Ladan, Jigawa NAWOJ also congratulated other newly elected national officers of the association. The chapter, while wishing the administration of Comrade Aisha and her team a successful tenure, stressed that the team will impact all NAWOJIANs across the country positively and uphold the ethics of the profession ”We the Executive members of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists Jigawa…

THE Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar has sought France’s support to end the humanitarian crisis caused by the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The request was collectively conveyed by foreign ministers of Nigeria, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt, in Paris and the secretary general of the Arab League during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, this was continued by a meeting with French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna in Paris. Tuggar once again reiterated the disproportionate use of violence against innocent civilians and the need to swiftly find a lasting political solution that will result…

THE Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, says obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) in Abuja will now require a National Identification Number (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN). Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Friday, Wike also noted that existing landowners in the capital must get recertification to incorporate these new features. According to the minister, he has been refraining from signing C-of-Os during his tenure as the FCT minister to introduce enhanced security measures, such as the inclusion of NIN for individuals and BVN for corporate bodies. “There are a lot of discrepancies, a lot of cloning…

THE Chaiperson of the Senate Committee on Women Affairs, Senator Ireti Kingibe has launched a nationwide initiative to combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV). According to a press statement, signed by the Senator and made available to News Point Nigeria, Friday, groundbreaking project underscores the Senate’s unwavering commitment to fostering a society where everyone is safe, respected, and free from the scourge of GBV. “The OrangeNIGERIA! Project represents a collaborative effort to address the root causes of GBV and implement impactful solutions. With a focus on inclusivity, education, and community engagement, this initiative aims to create lasting change on a national scale.…

THE Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has ordered the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Haliru Nababa, to investigate an allegation against personnel of the service. Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Chris Musa, had accused some NCoS personnel of conniving with inmates to finance the operations of terrorists. The CDS at the House of Representatives on Tuesday claimed that some arrested Boko Haram terrorists could plan operations out in the field and pass funds across. In the wake of the allegation, the minister condemned the unpatriotic act by the personnel and vowed that anyone found capable would be…

THE Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, on Tuesday, said the Federal Government’s objective was to create 10% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product by expanding the sector’s GDP to $100bn by 2030. Musawa, who spoke during the Art, Culture and Creative Economy roundtable at the State House in Abuja, said the government would work towards ensuring a conducive environment that encourages growth and investment. “Today, we stand ready to share our vision for the creative sector, a vision that you may have glimpsed in the summary of our strategic blueprint published last month. Our vision is…

THE Chief Registrar of the Court of Appeal, Umar Bangari, has the cleared air on the controversies surrounding the judgement delivered by the court on the Kano Governorship Election dispute. In a reaction, Bangari said that what happened in the judgement body was a typo error that did not in anyway invalidate or change the findings and conclusion of the court. The chief registrar assured Nigerians that the error would be rectified once parties in the matter file formal application to that effect. He cited Order 23 Rule 4 of the Court of Appeal HandBook which empowered the court to…

NYESOM Wike, Minister of the FCT says the FCT Administration has pegged the cost of issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy (C- of-O) at N5 million. Wike made the pronouncement at a meeting with estate developers in Abuja on Tuesday. He said payment could be made within four months of land allocation after which the C-of-O would be handed over to the applicant. He added that he would seek the approval of President Bola Tinubu to link applicants’ National Identification Number to C-of-Os before issuance. Wike said the era where three or more persons were allocated the same plot of…

THE Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has taken steps to review the Abuja land swap initiative and investigate the sale of federal government houses in the FCT. Mr Wike disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday, when he asked the Task Force on the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for mass housing to review initiative. The minister also asked the task force to ascertain the sales of federal government houses in the federal capital, Abuja, and present the current position of things. Recall that the minister had on Nov. 14, inaugurated a Task Force…

FOLLOWING the expiration of the deadline earlier given to land allottees owing ground rents in Abuja, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has extended the payment deadline till December 14, 2023. This newspaper reports that the FCT Administration in September published land titles of individuals, corporate organisations and government agencies, with a reminder of their obligation to pay the ground rent on January 1 every year, as stated in their given Certificates of Occupancy. In the publication signed by the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola, the debtors were advised to pay up “within two weeks from the…