THE Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officer, Shem Obafiaye, famous for the viral ‘Oga At The Top’ remark, has been promoted to the rank of deputy commandant-general (CG). The promotion was made public on Friday in a statement that was signed by Babawale Afolabi, the National Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC. Back in 2013, Obafiaye, then the Lagos Commandant of the NSCDC, gained widespread attention during an appearance on Channels Television’s breakfast programme, Sunrise Daily. When asked to provide the NSCDC’s website, Obafaiye replied, “The website is… excuse me… wait… it can only be made known by…
Author: Abdullahi Maitama Sani
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THE Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, on Friday, opened up about the events surrounding the aftermath of his birthday colloquium on Thursday. This newspaper had reported that Akpabio celebrated the second leg of his 61st birthday anniversary with a birthday colloquium in Abuja. The event, which President Bola Tinubu, attended, came five days after the first one held at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, the Akwa-Ibom State capital. Akpabio was reported to have slumped after the event while seeing President Bola Tinubu off at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja and was rushed to the hospital. Addressing the journalists…
THE minister of trade, industry, and investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite said the N1.6 billion in the ministry’s 2024 budget proposal was earmarked for the country’s trade office in Geneva, Switzerland, and not for foreign trips. News Point Nigeria reported that the Trade minister came under fire when she appeared before the national assembly joint committee on trade and investment to defend her ministry’s 2024 budget proposal on Tuesday. After presenting the figures in the budget, Adams Oshiomhole, senator representing Edo north and a member of the committee, questioned a line item in the budget proposal which provides N1 billion for a…
THE Federal Government has dismissed all directors of civil aviation agencies in the country less than 24 hours after sacking of the chief executive officers of the same organisations. In a statement sent to News Point Nigeria by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, the Federal Government said all the affected directors should hand over to the most senior officer in their various directorates with immediate effect. The statement was signed by a spokesperson for the minister, Odutayo Oluseyi. The affected agencies include the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigeria Metrological Agency (NiMET), Nigeria Airspace Management…
THE World Bank has said that President Bola Tinubu may still be paying for petrol subsidy as fuel prices in Nigeria are currently not cost-reflective. It said Nigerians should pay about N750 per litre as against the current price of N650 in some places. Our correspondent reports that petrol is already selling at around N690 in Kano and Sokoto, and over N700 per litre in far northeastern states of Yobe and Borno. With current prices, many Nigerians have parked their vehicles even as costs of basic necessities of life have skyrocketed and value of income of citizens eroded by inflation.…
FORMER President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has declared his readiness to testify for Nigeria in any legal proceedings regarding the $2.3 billion disputed Mambilla power contract. Sunrise Power, alleged the breach of a $6 billion contract by the Nigerian government and is seeking $2.3 billion in compensation at the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris. However, Nigeria countered the arbitration, alleging fraudulent activities and corruption in the contract’s award, drawing parallels with the P&ID case. Meanwhile, the EFCC has found evidence of fraud in the contract and filed charges, while Obasanjo challenges former Power Minister Olu Agunloye’s claims of authorization. The attorney-general,…
PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has approved the suspension, removal, and replacement of the following Chief Executive Officers under the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development: 1) Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Kabir Yusuf Mohammed. (2) Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Mr. Tayib Adetunji Odunowo. (3) Director-General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Engr. Akinola Olateru. (4) Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu. (5) Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Capt. Alkali Mahmud Modibbo. (6) Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority…
THE NASS joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Wednesday unanimously rejected the judiciary budget. It also gave the Minister of National Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu and DG budget office, Ben Akabueze, 24 hours to appear before it, over poor budgetary allocation to the Nigerian judiciary, an act they believe compromises their independence and ability to effectively function. The Judiciary has been allocated N5.3 billion for capital expenditure and N8.8 billion for recurrent expenditure in the 2024 budget. This is according to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, who had appeared…
VICE President Kashim Shettima and Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hajiya Hannatu Musawa have thrown their weight behind the burgeoning Nigerian creative and entertainment industry, pledging substantial support through the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) programme. According to a statement by the media aide to the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha on Wednesday, Shettima and Musawa spoke at a meeting with key industry stakeholders led by the Minister at the Presidential Villa. Shettima hailed the sector as “central to our economic diversification plans.” He lauded its role in shaping the nation’s image and acknowledged its potential to…
THE Members of the Senate and House Committees on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has said that FERMA is poorly funded and has advocated for increased Annual budgetary allocation for the Agency The Chairman, Senate Committee on FERMA, Sen. Hussaini Babangida Uba, said this Tuesday during a joint sitting of the Senate and House Committees on FERMA at the hearing of the presentation of the FERMA 2023 Performance/2024 Budget Defence According to a statement signed by the Director, Communications, FERMA, Mrs Maryam M Sanusi, the Committee Chairman added that FERMA could not meet up with the people’s expectation of making…
THE Minister of Solid Mineral, Mr Dele Alake, on Tuesday, alleged that some ‘powerful’ Nigerians involved in illegal mining are sponsoring banditry and terrorism in the country. He stated this when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals for the ministry’s 2024 budget defence in Abuja, the nation’s capital. Alake is also alleging that foreigners also engage in illegal mining in the country. He called on the Federal Government to pay close attention to the mining sector which would take in trillions for the country annually. Militants have been establishing presence in northwest and central Nigeria…
THE Senate on Tuesday announced President Bola Tinubu’s request seeking the confirmation of the nomination of 19 commissioners of the National Population Commission (NPC). The appointees are: 1. Emmanuel Eke (Abia) 2. Clifford Zirra (Adamawa) 3. Chidi Ezeoke (Anambra) 4. Isa Buratai (Borno) 5. Alex Ukam (Cross River) 6. Blessyn Brume-Ataguba (Delta) 7. Jeremiah Nwankwegu (Ebonyi) 8. Tony Aiyejina (Edo) 9. Ejike Ezeh (Enugu) 10. Abubakar Damburam (Gombe) 11. Uba Nnabue (Imo) 12. Dogon Garba (Kaduna) 13. Aminu Tsanyawa (Kano) 14. Yori Afolabi (Kogi) 15. Olakunle Sobukola (Ogun) 16. Temitayo Oluwatuyi (Ondo) 17. Mary Afan (Plateau) 18. Ogiri Henry (Rivers…
PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has congratulated Victor Osimhen, Asisat Oshoala, and Chiamaka Nnadozie, who were honoured with the 2023 Confederation of African Football (CAF) awards. In a statement by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, the President said the trio did Nigeria proud. At the event held in Marrakesh, Morocco, on Monday, Osimhen was named African Footballer of the Year in the male category, while Oshoala clinched the title of African Player of the Year in the female category. Nnadozie was named the African Goalkeeper of the Year, and the Super Falcons secured the National Team of the Year award. President Tinubu described…
PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu, on Monday, said he won’t rest until insecurity ends in the country. He also expressed his condolences to the families of Nigerians who lost their lives in the recent bombing in Tudun Biri, Kaduna State, saying that most of the victims tragically lost their lives while reciting the Shadada as they observed Maulud, a central statement of faith for practicing Muslims. This was as he affirmed that his administration would continue to cater to survivors devastated by the insecurity in the North East. Tinubu stated this at the palace of the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar El-Kanemi, in…
THE Federal Government is planning to rehabilitate and construct 1,925 roads and highways across the country in the 2024 budget proposal, according to findings by this newspaper. The government also allocated N548.56b for roads construction in 2024, with the East-West and Benin-Akure roads getting N2bn and N3.75bn respectively. This is however separate from the N288.44bn allocated for the modernisation of 329 roads and bridges in the 2023 supplementary budget. If road projects in the supplementary budget are added to those in the 2024 budget proposal, it means the government is expected to spend N837bn on 2,254 roads and bridges in…
ECOWAS leaders have resolved to urgently review efforts to activate a standby force for counterterrorism operations in areas infested by terrorist groups. A communiqué read by Dr. Omar Touray, President of ECOWAS Commission, at the end of the 64th ordinary session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, on Sunday in Abuja, said the leaders reiterated their commitment to the eradication of terrorism and other threats to peace, security, and stability in the region. They also resolved to hold an extraordinary summit on unconstitutional changes of government aimed at promoting peace, security, and democracy in the…
THE leadership of the 10th Senate has donated 109 million naira to victims of mistaken army air strike at Tudun Biri village in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, who announced the donation when he led other principal officers and senators on a condolence visit to Governor Uba Sani at Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House on Sunday, said it is their December salaries for the welfare of the victims. While sympathizing with the Kaduna State government and people of Tudun Biri community over the tragic incident, the Deputy Senate President, who represented…
THE United States’ Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Molly Phee, has visited Nigeria to mediate on the political situation in Niger Republic, which has been under military rule since July 26. This was disclosed in a statement on the website of the US Secretary of State. According to the statement, the US envoy arrived in Nigeria on Saturday and will hold talks with the Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu, as well as leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The meeting with regional leaders gathering for the ECOWAS Heads of State Summit is slated for Sunday…
THE Department of State Services (DSS) said on Saturday it will soon unveil weapons produced by its personnel. This was disclosed by the DSS Director General, Yusuf Bichi, at the graduation ceremony of the Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC) 16 participants in Abuja, the nation’s capital. According to him, the DSS will soon begin to “produce what it eats and eat what it produces.” Among the weapons the Secret Service will soon unveil are Unmanned Aeriel Vehicles (UAVs), he stated. Bichi also assured that the agency will continue to support the National Institute for Security Studies to succeed in its…
THE Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima on Saturday said both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches must be explored in tackling the various security challenges across the country. He stated this at the graduation ceremony of the National Institute for Security Studies’ Executive Intelligence Management Course 16 which was held in Abuja. The agitation by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the South-East, the banditry in the North-Central, and terrorism in the North-East and North-West need to be tackled using not just a kinetic approach but also non-kinetic means, Shettima noted. Attributing the current insecurity in parts of the country to…