Author: Abdullahi Maitama Sani

THE International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has on Thursday called on the Inspector General of Police and other security agencies, including the State Security Service (SSS) to immediately launch an investigation into the abduction and subsequent killing of Hamisu Danjibga, a Reporter of Voice of Nigeria (VON) in Zamfara State. According to reports, Danjibga was abducted in his house in Samaru Community in the heart of Gusau, the Zamfara State capital last Sunday at about eight o’clock in the evening. The abductors, according to his relations, called twenty-four hours after the incident and allegedly demanded one million naira as part…

HOURS to the end of the 21-day ultimatum issued by the organised labour, the Federal Government, on Wednesday, said it has no fears about a potential economic shutdown. This is despite last Monday’s parley being deadlocked as both parties failed to see eye-to-eye on the labour unions’ demands over the removal of petrol subsidy. “I don’t think there is any problem. We don’t have any fears about some of the things they (labour) put on the table and also the suggestions and the package of the Federal Government,” the Minister of Labour, Simon Lalong, told State House Correspondents after a…

THE  Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar has held constructive bilateral discussions with US Assistant Secretary of State, Molly Phee. The two diplomats met on the sidelines of the ongoing 78th United Nations General Assembly conference in Washington. During this meeting, both representatives engaged in extensive talks regarding the current political landscape in Niger Republic. They explored opportunities for mutual cooperation in advancing regional security, fostering trade and investment, and improving critical infrastructure projects. The discussion underscored the enduring and robust diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the United States, emphasizing both nations’ dedication to addressing shared challenges and…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu is seeking support for the return of democracy to Niger Republic. The military had seized power in the West African nation some months ago and is yet to bow to pressure from within and outside the continent. While regional leaders including Tinubu have been working for a return to democracy, the former Lagos State governor wants more partners in doing so. He told the UN General Assembly in New York that: “Regarding Niger, we are negotiating with the military leaders. As Chairman of ECOWAS, I seek to help re-establish democratic governance in a manner that addresses the…

NIGERIA’s national grid collapsed again on September 19, 2023, with power generation dropping from a peak of 3,594.60 megawatts (MW) at midnight to a meagre record of 42.7MW at midday. Only the Delta Power plant was active on the grid at noon, with 41MW, while Afam had 1.7MW. This is the first time in 13 years, power dropped this low. News Point Nigeria reports that, at 11:32am all of the commercial hub of Lagos lost power supply from the grid. It is now blamed to be a national system collapse. This is the third collapse in less than a month…

THE presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abubakar Atiku, has filed an appeal at the Supreme Court, seeking nullification of the judgment of the Presidential Election Petitions Court, which upheld the declaration of President Bola Tinubu as the winner of the 2023 polls. News Point Nigeria reports that in the notice of appeal predicated on 35 grounds, Atiku insisted that the tribunal committed a grave error and miscarriage of justice in its findings and conclusion in its petition challenging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s declaration of Tinubu as President. The notice of appeal is also praying the…

THE meeting between the Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to avert an imminent strike action ended on Monday without a concrete resolution to the union’s demands. The Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong; and Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, met with the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and other leaders in Abuja in an effort to stop organised labour from embarking on another industrial action. The meeting is expected to continue at a later date. However, the minister is also expected to hold a meeting with the leadership of the Trade Union Congress…

THE Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong says that past industrial actions by labour unions have had adverse effects on the country’s economy. The Minister stated this in Abuja on Monday as a scheduled meeting with the leaders of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) commenced in an effort to stop organised labour from embarking on another industrial action. He promised to partner with labour to address the demands of the labour unions in a just and balanced way. He appealed to the labour leaders to be realistic and frank in the discussions. The minister also expressed optimism that the…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has arrived at the John F. Kennedy Airport in New York to attend the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The President, who arrived some minutes before 7 pm local time, was received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar; the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations, Prof. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande and other government officials. The theme of this year’s UNGA is: “Rebuilding Trust and Reigniting Global Solidarity: Accelerating Action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards Peace, Prosperity, Progress and Sustainability for All”. President Tinubu is scheduled to deliver his…

NIGERIA spent N2.34 trillion on debt service within six months, according to a new report by the Debt Management Office (DMO). Nigeria’s debt servicing spending in the second quarter of 2023 saw a slowdown, amounting to N849.58 billion. This marked a 43.04% decline from the N1.49 trillion spent on debt servicing in the first quarter of 2023. Data from the DMO reveals that in the first quarter of 2023, Nigeria allocated N874.13 billion for servicing domestic debt and $801.36 million (equivalent to N617.35 billion) for external debt servicing, totalling N1.24 trillion. Servicing expenses amounted to N565.88 billion, while external debt…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has appointed Kingsley Stanley Nkwocha, a former General Manager and Daily Editor of LEADERSHIP Newspaper, as Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media and Communications in the Presidency. Nkwocha was appointed alongside several others who will work in the Office of the Vice President. Tinubu also appointed Tope Fasua, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Global Analytics Consulting, as the Special Adviser on Economic Affairs in the VP’s office. According to the list, others appointed to the VP’s office include Sadiq S Jambo as Special Adviser Economy, Dr. Muhammad Bulama, as Senior Special Assistant Special Duty, Mahmud Muhammad…

THE Federal Government has invited the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) over the union’s plan to go on indefinite strike. News point Nigeria reports that While the NLC is planning a nationwide shutdown owing to the removal of fuel subsidy and the hardship in the country, Labour and Employment Minister Simon Lalong has invited them for discussions. “The Minister of Labour and Employment Simon Bako Lalong has again invited the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC for another meeting over its planned indefinite strike,” the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations Olajide Oshundun said in a Sunday statement. “The Minister who directed…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has appointed two new ministers in charge of the Ministry of Youth – Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim and Mr. Ayodele Olawande. While Ibrahim will serve as the Minister of Youth, Olawande will be the new Minister of State For Youth, a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said. The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Senate, presidential spokesman stated. “The President has further approved the nomination of Mr. Ayodele Olawande to serve as the Minister of State for Youth, pending his confirmation by the Senate of the Federal…

THE Federal Government is considering the termination of some abandoned projects worth over N6 trillion inherited from previous successive governments that have no clear source of funding. News Point Nigeria reports that the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, disclosed this while briefing state house correspondents after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Umahi also disclosed that the President had approved some road construction projects and plans to toll some roads in the country. More details shortly…

THE Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul-Samad Rabiu, says the company is set to reduce the price of cement in Nigeria. He disclosed this on Friday while speaking with State House correspondents after meeting with President Bola Tinubu. Rabiu said to support the efforts of the government to crash the price of the product, the company would add two new plants at the end of the year or early next year. According to him, the plants to be commissioned by Tinubu, would bring BUA Cement’s total capacity to 17 million metric tons. This, he said will enable the company to reduce…

THE Chicago State University, CSU, on Friday, said President Bola Tinubu attended the institution and graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Administration. In a statement published by CBS News (CBS Broadcasting Inc.), the institution said it was confident in the veracity and integrity of their records regarding Tinubu’s completion of graduation requirements and degree certificate. However, it noted, United States’ federal law prevents “us from providing any further information about Tinubu’s record, without consent or unless allowed to do so via court order.” The controversies over Tinubu’s academic records took a fresh turn when the presidential…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has approved the nomination of Dr. Olayemi Michael Cardoso to serve as the new Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), for a term of five (5) years at the first instance, pending his confirmation by the Nigerian Senate. According to a statement by the Special Adviser Media and Publicity to the President, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Friday, this directive is in conformity with Section 8 (1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, which vests in the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the authority to appoint the Governor and Four (4) Deputy Governors…

THE acting Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Friday, said collaborative efforts were ongoing to secure the “swift” release of eight National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members kidnapped in Zamfara State about four weeks ago. IGP Egbetokun stated this while delivering his remarks at the meeting with strategic police managers and media briefing highlighting policies, breakthroughs, and achievements of the Nigeria Police Force in the last five weeks. The police boss stated that the safety and well-being of all citizens, particularly young NYSC members, remained of utmost importance to the Force. “We are firm in our commitment to intensify…

TROOPS of Operation Hadin Kai has arrested 12 suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Yobe State in its counterinsurgency operations in the North-East. Also recovered from the terrorists were 50 jerrycans of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly known as petrol and the Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) known as diesel as well as ₦3.1 million. The Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, who on Thursday, gave a report on the ongoing military operations by the armed forces across the nation. “Arrest of Suspected Terrorist Logistics Suppliers/Collaborator Between 4 to 8 September 2023, following intelligence reports, troops conducted operations in…

POWER supply has been restored after the national electricity grid collapsed on Thursday. The grid collapse resulted in a massive loss of supply to power distributors nationwide. But hours after this, the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (Eko Electric), said power supply has been restored from the grid. “Dear Valued Customer,” the company wrote on its X account, “kindly be informed that power supply has been restored from the grid. Thank you for your patience.” The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) had earlier confirmed the collapse of the national grid but assured that efforts are in top gear to fix the…