THE Defence Headquarters has refuted allegations of assaulting Fulani women in Plateau State. A video circulating on social media alleges Fulani women in Plateau State were being maltreated by soldiers attached to Operation Rainbow in the state. The allegation comes one week after terrorists invaded some communities in the state, killing over 100 persons. Reacting to the allegation, the Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, on Saturday noted that the video in circulation was an incident that took place in Borno State in 2021. He noted that the soldiers involved in the act were adequately punished. The statement…
Author: Binta Kabir
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ARRANGEMENT have been concluded for a successful conduct of Annual General Meeting of Birnin-Kudu Old Boys Association BIKOBA, the umbrella of the Old Students of Government Unity College, Birnin Kudu, Jigawa state – one of the famous Secondary Schools/Colleges in Northern Nigeria. According to a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Mahmoud Ibrahim Kwari, Thursday, the occasion scheduled to take place on Sunday the 31st of December, 2023 by 9:00am at the Murtala Mohammed Library Hall along Ahmadu Bello Way Kano, will feature a Public Lecture to be delivered by Prof. Sabo Ibrahim, Vice Chancellor Federal University of Technology,…
THE Minister of State Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Tijjani Muhammad Gwarzo, has described the death of former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Alh. Ghali Umar Na’Abba as a great loss to Nigeria and its Democracy. Minister Gwarzo who stated this in a condolence message, signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity Adamu Abdullahi, says the Ex-Speaker will be remembered for his principle and firm believe in true democrcy. He prayed Almighty Allah to grant the soul of the late Speaker Jannatul Firdausi. “Ex-Speaker Na’Abba was an icon of true democrcy and parliamentarian par excellence, who…
THE national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has expressed his condolences on the death of the former speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Ghali Umar Na’Abba. In a statement by his Press Secretary, Mr Edwin Olofu, Ganduje described Na’Abba as a thoroughbred politician and legislator who meant well for the country. Ganduje recalled the pivotal role played by Na’Abba when he served as the Speaker of the House of Representatives to entrench the independence of the legislative arm of government even in the face of provocation by top operatives of the executive arm.…
THE Debt Management Office (DMO) said Nigeria’s total public debt as at September 30, 2023 was N87.91trn or $114.35bn. The DMO, in a statement on Wednesday, stated that the amount represented domestic and external debts of the Federal Government, the 36 state governments and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The debt office said the debt stock represented a marginal increase of 0.61% when compared to the June 30, 2023 figure of N87.38trn. “This trend is explained by the decrease in External Debt from USD43.16 Billion as at June 30, 2023 to USD41.59 Billion as at September 30, 2023 and a…
A 75-YEAR-OLD grandma has been arrested in Lagos for dealing in illicit drugs, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said on Sunday. The suspect, Sekinat Soremekun, was nabbed on Friday in the Oshodi area of Lagos with quantities of cannabis and litres of codeine syrup were recovered from her. NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said the granny claimed her son, Segun who is now at large, supplied her the illicit substances which she retailed. “NDLEA operatives in Lagos on Friday 15th December arrested a 75-year-old grandma, Mrs. Sekinat Soremekun for dealing in illicit drugs,” Babafemi said in a statement. “At…
THE Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has announced the passing of Thomas John,the former Group Managing Director (GMD) and acting alternate chairman of the Board of the defunct Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. In a statement on Twitter signed by Olufemi O. Soneye, chief corporate communications officer of the Company, the former GMD passed away at the age of 84. Described as a quintessential administrator and industry professional, John held the position of the 5th GMD of NNPC, succeeding the late Aret Adams from April 1990 to June 1992. He was also a non-executive director of South Atlantic Petroleum (SAPETRO),…
FORMER president Muhammadu Buhari placed a phone call to celebrate the 86th birthday of retired General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, specifically to highlight and show gratitude for his decorated military career and service to the country. “T.Y. as Chief of Army Staff built an army that was ready to execute combat operations day and night, at home and abroad,” Buhari was quoted in the statement released by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu on Sunday. “And at all times displayed the soldierly spirit of valor and indomitable courage. He served the army with pride.” Danjuma first enrolled at the Nigerian Military Training College…
THE International Air Transport Association has warned the Central Bank of Nigeria that some foreign airlines may be forced to quit the Nigerian markets if nothing is done about the $790m ticket revenue currently trapped in the country. The IATA Regional Vice President, Africa & Middle East, Kamil Alawadhi, at a media presentation with African journalists at the IATA Global Media Day in Geneva, Switzerland, on Thursday also said Lagos and Abuja airports had been ranked the most expensive gateways in the region despite the poor state of their infrastructure. According to him, the Nigerian government is currently holding the…
THE University of Abuja (UniAbuja) says its researchers have won over N3 billion in grants in 2023 following their applications to donor agencies for research grants. The Vice Chancellor of UniAbuja, Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’allah, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja during the award ceremony for researchers and authors. Na’allah said that the 2023 grant of over N3 billion was a significant improvement compared to the N1 billion that was won in 2022. The vice-chancellor urged those leading in research to share their experiences with others, adding that they should support one another to bring in more researchers. “When you hear…
A NIGERIAN healthcare worker in the United Kingdom has been fired and deported after she was reportedly seen praying for an elderly dying patient. In a post shared on ‘X,’ popular Nigerian doctor @drolufunmilayo stated that it is unethical in the UK for nurses to bring religion into their duties. He said that although it is not customary for nurses to pray for patients, it is expected of them to ask a cleric to perform any religious service on them, even if the patient requests that they do so. Olufunmilayo said he narrated the incident to warn Nigerian doctors moving…
PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, said Nigeria’s national defence and internal security are some of the top priorities of the 2024 ‘Budget of Renewed Hope’. Tinubu said the nation’s internal security architecture will be overhauled to enhance law enforcement capabilities with a view to safeguarding lives, property, and investments across the country. “Defence and internal security are accorded top priority. The internal security architecture will be overhauled to enhance law enforcement capabilities and safeguard lives, property and investments across the country,” the President said while addressing a joint session of the National Assembly on the 2024 Federal budget proposal in…
THE Nigerian government on Monday said it spends N3m daily in feeding inmates in prisons across the country, a figure that further justifies the quest for the decongestion of custodial centres across the nation. Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo upon assumption of office some months back, moved to decongest prisons in the country. Some 4,000 inmates are billed to be released. According to the minister, with 80,804 inmates in 253 custodial facilities, feeding the inmates takes a chunk of money from the Federal Government’s purse. “So, before you go on, let me say this. You look at the economy of scale.…
A VETERINARY doctor, Bello Lawan, has been reportedly shot and injured and his wife kidnapped in Bagama community on the outskirts of Mpape town in Bwari Area Council of the FCT. This newspaper learnt that three members of his family, including his son, who took a ransom of N13.5m, as well as foodstuff and drugs, were also held by the kidnappers. A resident, Daniel Azaki, described Bello as a philanthropist who assisted many with his veterinary services, as well as in his medical clinic and pharmacy, all located in Bagama. Bello, a converted Christian Fulani man, was said to have…
PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has appointed Chief Pius Akinyelure, as the Chairman of the board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, this newspaper can authoritatively report. This is just as the President also retained Malam Mele Kyari as the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPC Limited. Before his appointment as Chairman, Akinyelure was a member of the board of the NNPC Limited. Akinyelure, a seasoned and distinguished administrator, and an oil industry practitioner is being appointed to Chair the NNPC Limited Board about five months after the President dissolved the board of federal government’s agencies and parastatsals including that…
GOVERNOR Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State has ordered the immediate “general” renovation of the first residence of former President Shehu Shagari which was razed by fire last weekend. The governor gave the directive Monday in a statement by his press secretary, Abubakar Bawa, shortly after an inspection visit to the resident alongside Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko to assess the level of damage. He described the fire as an unfortunate, catastrophic incident that attempted to deface the historic building. In a related development, Bawa, says the governor has also approved the constitution of a committee to assess the level of damage…
ONE person has been rescued from the partial collapse of a building under construction in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. It was gathered that the incident occurred on Saturday in the Central Business District, beside Taj Bank in the nation’s capital. This was disclosed in a statement by the spokesperson of the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Nkechi Isa, who said the agency was informed about the collapse one hour after the construction workers “unsuccessfully tried to rescue their trapped colleague to no avail”. It is, however, unclear the cause of the partial collapse of the building.…
THE Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has warned consumers against possible increase in fake online stores to scam them during the ‘Black Friday’ sales. A statement by Mr Babatunde Irukera, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Thursday in Abuja, said the FCCPC received credible intelligence that fake online stores would increase by 135 percent. Irukera advised consumers to be vigilant and discerning this period adding that they should demand and insist on their rights, particularly with respect to full and transparent disclosures. According to him, consumers should only patronise trusted and credible platforms and exercise caution to…
JUSTICE James Omotosho of the Federal High Court Abuja has dismissed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC)’s motion seeking an order setting aside its judgement restraining the commission from imposing fines on broadcast stations in the country. Delivering Judgement, Justice Omotosho dismissed all the grounds put forward by the NBC, describing same as an afterthought. Justice Omotosho held that despite being served with the originating process and hearing notices in the case leading to the judgment, the commission failed to file its defence. The judge said contrary to the NBC’s argument that it was not served with court processes that led…
A COALITION of Civil Society Groups in Nasarawa State has congratulated the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engnr Abdullahi A Sule over his victory at the Court of Appeal. The group in a press statement signed by its Coordinator, Ogbu Francisca Esq and Director of Mobilisation Bulus Musa hailed the Judgement of the Appeal Court describing it as a true reflection of the wishes of the people of Nasarawa State. The group further hailed the judgement of the Appeal Court, which nullified and reversed the judgment of the Nasarawa State Governorship Election Tribunal that ordered for the sack of Gov…