Ridoola's blog

The state Commander of NDLEA, Mr Suleiman Jadi said this in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday. The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kebbi Office, has arrested two suspected drug dealers and recovered 2.193 tonnes of hard drugs hidden in bags and compressed blocks in the state. The state Commander of NDLEA, Mr Suleiman Jadi said this in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday. Jadi said that the suspects were tailed from Yauri Local Government Area of the state on their way to Sokoto State. “ Our men on patrol have succeeded in intercepting two suspected drug dealers with hard drugs weighing 2.193 tonnes of cannabis sativa stuck in bags and compressed in blocks. “They were intercepted in Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of the state on their way from South Western States to Sokoto State,’’ he said. Jadi said the suspects were tailed over one month after the command had received a tip- off from its undercover agents. “ You can see the content yourselves as it runs to hundreds of mill...

The registrar said that the suspension became imperative following a protest by the students over the alleged incident. Authorities of Federal University, Wukari, Taraba, on Wednesday, closed down the institution, following alleged abduction and killing of some students and staff of the institution due to the Jukun/Tiv ethnic crisis. The Registrar of the university, Mr Magaji Gangumi , in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Wukari, said the Committee of Deans and Directors approved the closure of the institution on behalf of the university Senate. The registrar said that the suspension became imperative following a protest by the students over the alleged incident. “The Committee of Deans and Directors of Federal University, Wukari, on behalf of the Senate, has approved the suspension of lectures and closure of the institution till further notice. “This follows the protest by students over the kidnapping of their mates along Wukari-Katsina Ala highway...

The governor who made the disclosure on a media programme in Gusau on Wednesday, said the government has saved money for the payment of the new workers. Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara has announced plans by the state government to recruit 8,000 workers into the civil service. The governor who made the disclosure on a media programme in Gusau on Wednesday, said the government has saved money for the payment of the new workers. “Plans have been perfected by the state government for the recruitment of 8,000 workers into the civil service. “On this issue too, I have made sure that the money that will be used in paying these additional workers have been secured for the next five months. “This class of workers do not however include the 1,400 youth employed but not being paid by the immediate past administration for over two years. “I have since directed for the screening of the 1,400 and immediately the screening is over, those who have not taken up other jobs or secured admissions t...

Adewumi , made this known while testifying before the  Presidential  Election Petitions  Tribunal  in Abuja. Mr Henry Adewumi, Deputy Registrar of West African Examinations Council (WAEC) in charge of School Registration on Wednesday said that President Muhammadu Buhari, obtained a Cambridge University West African Examination certificate with five credits. Adewumi , made this known while testifying before the  Presidential  Election Petitions  Tribunal  in Abuja. NAN reports that Buhari on Tuesday opened his defence against the petition filed by the PDP and its candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. NAN reports that the PDP and Abubakar, alleged in their petition challenging the victory of Buhari’, that results were transmitted to a central server managed by INEC. The two witnesses, Abba Kyari , two former secondary school mates testified to having obtained Cambridge University West African Examination Certificate in 1961.  ridoo...

Senator Abbo is under probe for assaulting a woman, but that didn't stop his appointment. Senator Elisha Abbo (Adamawa North - PDP) has been named the deputy chairman of the Senate Committee on Navy. The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North - APC), named the chairpersons and their deputies for 69 Senate Standing Committees before the lawmakers embarked on annual recess on Tuesday, July 30, 2019. Abbo's appointment comes despite being under probe for repeatedly slapping a woman during an altercation that was captured on camera. The emergence of the video that captured Abbo assaulting the woman inside a sex toy shop in Abuja led to widespread outrage earlier this month. The incident happened in May 2019, just a month before Abbo was sworn in as a senator of the 9th Senate. Many Nigerians called for the lawmaker to be suspended by the Senate, and prosecuted in court. Despite  initial defiance , the lawmaker issued a very public, teary-eyed apology to his victim and a...

Osinbajo ’s spokesman, Mr Laolu Akande , in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja said the directive was part of the Federal Government’s renewed effort to ensure the effective recovery of over five trillion naira being outstanding debts owed AMCON.  The Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has directed that new approaches be adopted in the recovery of debts owed the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria(AMCON).  Osinbajo ’s spokesman, Mr Laolu Akande , in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja said the directive was part of the Federal Government’s renewed effort to ensure the effective recovery of over five trillion naira being outstanding debts owed AMCON.  Osinbajo on Monday met with board members and management of AMCON and selected heads of government agencies, at the Presidential Villa following which a new committee was set up to carry out the assignment.  The agencies included Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigerian Finan...

In a communique issued at the end of the house plenary, at the residence of Speaker, Mr  Bamidele Oleyelogun , in Akure, the lawmakers alleged that the complex had not been rehabilitated in the last 10 years. Members of Ondo State House of Assembly on Tuesday decried the poor state of the legislative complex and described it as the worst among its peers across the country. In a communique issued at the end of the house plenary, at the residence of Speaker, Mr  Bamidele Oleyelogun , in Akure, the lawmakers alleged that the complex had not been rehabilitated in the last 10 years. In the communiqué read to newsmen by Mr Success Torukerijo , the member representing Ese Odo Constituency, the lawmakers claimed that no funds had been released for the execution of capital projects in the assembly in the last five years. “We want to restate and reaffirm that on Wednesday, July 24, a snake fell from the ceiling into the chambers of the house. “Also, on Thursday, July 25, part ...

The commission disclosed this in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will ensure that free, fair and credible elections are conducted at all times. The commission disclosed this in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi , while acknowledging the report on the 2019 general elections released on Tuesday by the Situation Room. Oyekanmi said that INEC was determined to ensure that free, fair and credible elections were conducted at all times. The chief press secretary said though the report was yet to be shared, INEC would study the reports released by the national and international observers accredited for the polls. According to him, INEC is conscious of its responsibilities and expectations of all Nigerians. “In line with its commitment to improving the electoral system, the Commission has just completed its internal review pro...

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu , in Abuja on Tuesday night, said the fighter jets, expected from the United States, would be deployed in checking terrorist activities in the country. The Federal Government has reiterated its determination to continue to procure sophisticated weapons to keep the nation’s military in good fighting shape, saying the country will take delivery of Super Tucano fighter jets in 2020. A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu , in Abuja on Tuesday night, said the fighter jets, expected from the United States, would be deployed in checking terrorist activities in the country. He said: “While the military arsenal is not something you pay for and get, requiring mostly long-time orders, weapons will come in accordance with the terms of contracts. “This country is expecting the commencement of the delivery of Super Tucano fighter ...

 The president spoke when he received members of the Progressives in Academics at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday. It is not proper to blame the Federal Government for the menace of the Almajiri system of education as the responsibility is that of state governments, President Muhammadu Buhari says. The president spoke when he received members of the Progressives in Academics at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday. Almajiri system of education is a form of Qur’anic learning associated with begging on economic and religious grounds peculiar to some northern states. The Presidency on June 21 dismissed reports that the Federal Government had concluded arrangements to ban the system of education. Malam Garba Shehu , the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, in a statement in Abuja, had said that the proscription of the Almajiri system had remained an objective of the Buhari administration. Buhari told the delegation that it was the constitutional res...

The APC is accusing Atiku of felony. The All Progressives Congress (APC) accused the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, of behaving as though he is the duly elected president of Nigeria. Atiku had lost to Muhammadu Buhari , the candidate of the APC, in the February 23, 2019, poll. Atiku, a former vice president, is challenging the outcome of the poll at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal. While the tribunal is yet to decide on the matter, the APC says Atiku is trying to usurp the powers of the president by issuing statements on topical issues both within and outside Nigeria. In a statement by its spokesman, Lanre Issa-Onilu , the APC said Atiku might be committing a felonious offense. The ruling party noted that it would take decisive action against Atiku if he continues to act in a manner that portrays him as the president of Nigeria. “The All Progressives Congress (APC) strongly condemns the 2019 presidential candidate of the...

The Nigerian Senate has concluded the screening of all of President Muhammadu Buhari's ministerial nominees on Tuesday, July 30, 2019. President Buhari sent a list of 43 nominees to the Senate last Tuesday, and screening commenced on Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed , was the last nominee to be screened on Tuesday, but he was not scrutinised due to appeals from many senators. Senator Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun Central - APC) said there was no reason to question Mohammed because he's proven to be a fierce, loyal party man who has served diligently. "One thing you cannot take away from him is that whatever assignment that is given, you'll see him serving diligently and loyally," the former Ogun State governor said. The former minister was made to bow out without any questions, a privilege that was extended, in some form, to Saleh Mamman and Sabo Nanono , both nominees who came before him. When Mamman appeared bef...

The ministerial screening lasted five days. The Senate has confirmed the nomination of all 43 ministerial nominees forwarded to the upper legislative chamber by President Muhammadu Buhari. President Buhari had sent the names of his preferred ministerial nominees to the Senate on Tuesday, July 23, 2019 -- exactly five months after his re-election for a second term in office. Subsequently, the Senate suspended its rules to begin the screening of nominees which lasted till late at night. The ministerial screening lasted five days. ridoola.blogspot.com.ng

Omo-Agege asked his fellow senators to not question one of Buhari's nominees because they're tired. After five days of screening President Muhammadu Buhari's ministerial nominees, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege (Delta Central - APC) has complained about fatigue. President Buhari sent a list of 43 nominees to the Senate last Tuesday, and dozens of them have been screened since the exercise commenced on Wednesday, July 24, 2019. When Saleh Mamman appeared before senators on Tuesday, July 30, Omo-Agege pleaded with his fellow lawmakers to allow the nominee bow out without questioning because they're tired. "There's so much fatigue here already. We've been on this nomination thing for how many days now? People are already tired! Are we not tired? We're tired! "Therefore, Mr President, I'm going to appeal that we allow Mr Saleh, maybe subject to comments by people from his home state, to take a bow and go," he said. The deputy senate president ...

He said that all these colleges did not get their subvention for seven months from September 2018 to March 2019 before AbdulRazak came to their rescue. Dr Olokoba Abdullahi, the Provost of College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies (CAILS) in Ilorin, says Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazak has rescued colleges of education in the Kwara by releasing huge sums of money to them. Abdullahi commended the governor for his efforts during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin on Tuesday. He said that all these colleges did not get their subvention for seven months from September 2018 to March 2019 before AbdulRazak came to their rescue. “The state government had an agreement with all colleges of education in the state to pay a subvention of 70 per cent of our salary and insisted that we should help ourselves with the internally generated revenue. “We managed the IGR for some years until September 2018 when the government stopped paying the subvention until the...

Justice John Okoro , in a lead judgment, held that the appellant failed to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt. The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a suit filed by Sen. Samuel Anyanwu challenging the emergence of Gov. Emeka Ihedioha as the Imo governor. Justice John Okoro , in a lead judgment, held that the appellant failed to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt. “ The appellant has failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt the allegations made against the 1st respondent, therefore the case is hereby dismissed and cost of N200,000 awarded in favour of the first and second respondents." Anyanwu had approached the Court seeking to nullify the victory of Ihedioha . He urged the courts to declare him the authentic winner of the primary election. He accused Ihedioha of engaging in over-voting, thuggery, which he alleged, swayed the polls in favour of Ihedioha who is now the governor of the state. Ihedioha had in the primary election on October 1, 2018, got 1,723 vote...

Dr Hamidu Liman , Head of Medical team, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), made the disclosure while speaking with journalists in Madinah on Tuesday. An elderly female Nigerian pilgrim from Sokoto State has died in Madinah, Saudi Arabia few days to the commencement of 2019 Hajj rites. Dr Hamidu Liman , Head of Medical team, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), made the disclosure while speaking with journalists in Madinah on Tuesday. Liman, who did not identify the deceased, said she had an ailment before embarking on the trip, but later referred to Al Ansar hospital, Madinah, where she died, four days ago. According to Liman, the deceased was buried in Madinah after her family was contacted. “ The deceased developed an illness from Nigeria, we attended to her but when her condition did not improve, we referred her for special attention at Al Ansar hospital, Madinah. “We lost her in the hospital four days ago. “I would advise intending pilgrims to ascertain t...

Senator Abbo advised youths to conduct themselves in a manner that they cannot be blackmailed when they become successful. Senator Elisha Abbo (Adamawa North - PDP) has been honoured with an "ICON at Democracy" award by the Intercommunity Awareness for Change and Development Initiative (IACDI). Abbo has been in the public eye in recent weeks after he was caught on camera repeatedly slapping a woman during an altercation in Abuja in May. He made a reference to the incident during the presentation of the award last weekend in Abuja, saying the incident is all part of politics. The 41-year-old lawmaker remarked that youths should learn from him, noting that a misconduct that happened over a decade ago can be used as a tool of blackmail when they get into public office. He said, "I believe young people all over the world now will be learning from me that there's now a huge gap between wanting to be in power and being in power to deal with the challenges of politics....

Kyari disclosed this when he received the Chairman and members of the special Presidential Investigative Panel for the Recovery of Public Property in Abuja on Monday, The Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari says the corporation has no secret accounts that breaches the Treasury Single Account (TSA). Kyari disclosed this when he received the Chairman and members of the special Presidential Investigative Panel for the Recovery of Public Property in Abuja on Monday, In a statement issued by Mr Ndu Ughamadu , the spokesman for the corporation, he said that the NNPC had nothing to hide as it stood to gain a lot by being transparent in all areas of its operation. He reiterated that NNPC had no secret account, adding “ there is no single account NNPC is operating that is unknown to the Federal Government. ”Any account(s) outside the TSA platform are partner accounts which we have obtained due approvals from the governmen...

Mr Ibrahim Abubakar , FRSC Deputy Corps Commander and Head of Operations, Bauchi Sector Command, told newsmen on Monday in Bauchi that the accident involved three vehicles, a Mercedes Benz and two Sharon commercial vehicles. The Bauchi Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed two persons dead, six injured in a road mishap that occurred on Saturday at Tashan Maialewa village along Bauchi-Dass Road in the state. Mr Ibrahim Abubakar , FRSC Deputy Corps Commander and Head of Operations, Bauchi Sector Command, told newsmen on Monday in Bauchi that the accident involved three vehicles, a Mercedes Benz and two Sharon commercial vehicles. He said that the accident, caused by excessive speeding, occurred on Saturday at 3.30 p.m Abubakar said 12 people were involved in the accident, made up of 10 male adults and two male and female children. Narrating how the accident occurred, he said the vehicles were moving beyond the recommended speed limit while it was raining, cau...

A statement issued by EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity in the state, Mr Gbenga Adewoye , in Ilorin on Monday, said Soewu was arrested alongside Managing Directors of six microfinance banks. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested and detained the Director-General of Kwara State Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development (SMED), Mr Segun Soewu, over alleged N2 billion fraud. A statement issued by EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity in the state, Mr Gbenga Adewoye , in Ilorin on Monday, said Soewu was arrested alongside Managing Directors of six microfinance banks. The statement listed the six managing directors as Mr Ogudu Samuel of Brightway Microfinance Bank, Mr A. K. Imam of Magajingari Microfinance Bank and Mr Adeleke M. S. of Sincere Microfinance Bank. Others include, Mr Yusuf Muideen of Balogun Fulani Microfinance Bank, Mr Issa Abdulrasheed of KCMB Microfinance Bank and Oyebode Asimiyu of Apels Microfinance Bank. According to ...

The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan , also urged the Senate to give credibility to its ministerial nominees’ screening. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday in Abuja urged the Senate to ensure that only persons with clean records were cleared as ministers. The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan , also urged the Senate to give credibility to its ministerial nominees’ screening. It said the Senate would be doing this by sending the names of the nominees to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This, Ologbondiyan said, would enable the lawmakers to confirm that the nominees were clean from allegations of corruption, abuse of office and stealing of public funds. “ The Senate should take note that some of the nominees had failed to defend the allegations of corruption made against them. “Some of them include a former minister and those who, as state go...

A group of women in Imo are asking Governor Ihedioha to apologize over a slapping incident involving one of his aides. By Cynthia Imoke The last has not been heard of the slapping saga involving the wife of the Action Alliance governorship candidate in Imo State, His Excellency Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, and the Governor of Imo State, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha. A group of PDP women leaders under the aegis of PDP Women Liberators issued a 72- hour ultimatum to the governor to tender a public apology for the harassment meted on the eminent Imo woman or risk their wrath. Speaking on behalf of the Imo PDP Women Liberators, the leader of the group Lolo Adiela Uzoma expressed disappointment with the action of the governor, regretting that such action has the tendency of portraying the party in bad light before Nigerians. "Nothing has so ridiculed the image of our party than the molestation meted on one of Imo's brightest female stars, Mrs. Uloma Nwosu, by an aide of ...

Mr Yunus Usman , SAN, said this in his oral application urging the five-man panel headed by Justice Mohammed Garba to close commission’s defence. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday told the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal that inviting witnesses to defend its conduct of the Feb.23 general election would amount to becoming a partial umpire. Mr Yunus Usman , SAN, said this in his oral application urging the five-man panel headed by Justice Mohammed Garba to close commission’s defence. “My Lords, will not be calling any witnesses to defend the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar , against conduct of Feb. 23 election that re-elected Muhammadu Buhari as President. “Our client will instead rely on the evidence it obtained from the petitioners’ witnesses under cross examination. “There is no need calling witnesses to help the petitioners’ case as doing so would have negated INEC’s stanc...

The three are: Mr Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Sen. Gbemisola Saraki (Kwara) and Dr Muhammadu Mahmoud (Kaduna). The Senate on Monday screened three more ministerial nominees from the 42 submitted by President Muhammadu Buhari to form the Federal Executive Council. The three are: Mr Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Sen. Gbemisola Saraki (Kwara) and Dr Muhammadu Mahmoud (Kaduna). Fasola, 56, is a former governor of Lagos State and the immediate past Minister of Works, Power and Housing. He read Law from the University of Benin. Saraki, 54, read Economics at the University of Sussex, UK and served as a senator in the 6th Assembly. Mahmoud, an environmentalist, is a former board chairman of the Universal Basic Education (UBEC) and a former Minority Leader of Kano House of Assembly. Apart from Fasola, who answered some questions concerning condition of the infrastructure in the country, the other two nominees were asked to “ take a bow” and leave the hallowed chambers on the basis of ...

SP Abdu Jinjiri , the spokesman of the state Police Command, told newsmen in Dutse on Monday that the accident occurred on Sunday around 1:30 p.m. No fewer than seven persons died in an accident involving a Peugeot 206 and a Golf 3 car along Maigatari road, in Maigatari Local Government Area of Jigawa. SP Abdu Jinjiri , the spokesman of the state Police Command, told newsmen in Dutse on Monday that the accident occurred on Sunday around 1:30 p.m. He said the incident occurred after the driver of the Peugeot car coming from Kano lost control and crossed to the opposite lane, where it had head-on collision with an oncoming Golf 3 car. The spokesman added that seven occupants of the vehicles died on the spot, while the two drivers and nine others sustained various degrees of injury. “Yesterday, at about 2 p.m., the police in Maigatari LGA received an information that at about 1:30 p.m., one Rabilu Ahmad aged 30 of Koki quarters in Dala LGA Kano state was driving a Peugeot 206 ash col...

El-Zakzaky is asking the court to allow him and his wife, Zinat, travel to India for urgent medical attention. The Kaduna State High Court will rule on the bail application filed by the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, and his wife, Zinat, on August 5, 2019. The two were arrested in Kaduna in 2015 after soldiers killed over 300 members of the IMN for allegedly throwing stones at the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai , an act declared by the Army to be an assassination attempt. Corporal Yakubu Dankaduna , a soldier, was allegedly killed by IMN members when he alighted from Buratai's convoy to disperse the group's procession during the confrontation. In May 2018, El-Zakzaky and Zinat were eventually arraigned before the Kaduna High Court and charged with unlawful gathering, criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide, and denied bail by the court months later in November. In the fresh application filed on Ju...

Tinubu said Fashola did not extend employment slots to Senators in his first term as minister. Senator Remi Tinubu has urged the former minister of power, works and housing, Babatunde Fashola, to provide more employment slots for her constituents in his second term in office. She made the plea during the Fashola's ministerial screening at the Senate on Monday, July 29, 2019. Remi, wife of the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu , lamented Fashola's inability to employ some of her constituents into the ministries he headed. "When you get there this time, just remember that senators here have people, back home in our constituents, asking us for employment slots," Tinubu said when recognised by Senate President Ahmad Lawan for her to ask questions or make comments on Fashola's ministerial nomination. "I want you to put that in your agenda for your second term that we all need slots for employment for our constituents,"...

Fashola says there's a gap between Nigeria's anticipated spending and its earnings. Former Minister of Power, Housing and Works, Babatunde Fashola, has expressed frustration with Nigeria's inability to fund all necessary projects as urgently as possible. The former Lagos governor appeared before the Senate on Monday, July 29, 2019 to be screened as one of President Muhammadu Buhari 's ministerial nominees. Lawmakers largely quizzed Fashola on how he determined projects during his previous stint and why projects in their own constituencies were not properly attended to. In response, Fashola said certain projects had to be prioritised over others because there's a gap between the nation's anticipated spending and its earnings. He said, "It is common knowledge that no ministry has received all of the resources for its budget.  "So, yes, we gladly announce that the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing has N500 billion budget, but we seldom get more t...

The injured victims were all evacuated to the hospital for treatment. Four children were injured when a two-storey building located at 30, Ososa Street in Bariga, Lagos Island collapsed late on Sunday, July 28, 2019. The landlord of the building, identified as Pa Ayilara , was also injured, according to the spokesperson of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA),  Kehinde Adebayo . Adebayo disclosed that the building had been distressed with crack lines for a while before the eventual collapse. He said all residents were evacuated to the hospital for treatment before the building was cordoned off. "The Director-General of LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, advised the owner of the structure to ensure holistic assessment is carried out by Lagos State Building Control Agency (LABSCA) before any repairs," he said. Two of the injured children were identified as twin girls named Taiwo and Kehinde. The other victims are the girls' brother, Idowu, and anoth...

Dino Melaye believes submitting the names of ministerial nominees with their portfolios will make the screening process more fruitful. Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West - PDP) has called on future presidents to attach portfolios to the names of ministerial nominees before sending them to the Senate for confirmation screening. While speaking during an interview on Channels TV on Sunday, July 28, 2019, Melaye said the practice of not attaching portfolios makes it hard for lawmakers to be deliberate about how they question nominees, a process he described as "beautiful nonsense". President Muhammadu Buhari sent a list of 43 ministerial nominees to the Senate last week, but lawmakers have been widely criticised for the way many of the nominees have been screened. Melaye said Buhari's failure to yield to the request of some lawmakers to attach portfolios to his nominees forced them to shoot from the dark during the screening exercise. He said, "It'll be better if t...

Zulum stated this on Sunday when he visited Gajiram, headquarters of Nganzai local government area of the state, to commiserate with the people over the murder of 60 villagers by Boko Haram insurgents. Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has reiterated his commitment to supporting security agencies to protect lives and property in the state. Zulum stated this on Sunday when he visited Gajiram, headquarters of Nganzai local government area of the state, to commiserate with the people over the murder of 60 villagers by Boko Haram insurgents. He said that the state government would not not relent until permanent peace was restored to the state. While condemning the attack, Zulum called on the people to be vigilante and cooperate with security agencies in their communities. He prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and the families, the fortitude to bear the loss. The governor also visited Specialists’ Hospital Maiduguri, and sympathised with persons who sustained injuries in ...

According to the president, already a major exercise has begun to hunt the attackers with air patrols by the nation’s Air Force and ground operations by the army. President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday condemned the dastardly attack on a funeral procession in Borno, which caused the deaths of over 60 mourners. Malam Garba Shehu , the President’s spokesman, in a statement in Abuja, said the President had received assurances from the armed forces that the terrorists who committed the killings would pay a “ big price” for their action. “The Federal Government is firmly and resolutely committed to taking necessary measures to safeguard the nation’s security. ”This administration is determined to end the menace of terrorism,” Shehu quoted President Buhari as saying. According to the president, already a major exercise has begun to hunt the attackers with air patrols by the nation’s Air Force and ground operations by the army. He assured the residents of Maiduguri and the citizens s...

The group says proscribing El-zakzaky’s Shiite group is a relief to Nigerians. A civil society group, Save Humanity Advocacy Centre, has hailed the proscription of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) as a terrorist organisation, describing it as a “relief to Nigerians". The Federal Government, on Friday, July 26, 2019, obtained a court order to proscribe the Shiite organisation , following violent protests in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Justice Nkeonye Maha of the Federal High Court Abuja issued the order in a ruling which designated the activities of the Shiite group in any part of Nigeria “as acts of terrorism and illegality.” In a statement signed by its director or research, Helen Akanji , at the weekend, the human rights group urged the President Muhammadu Buhari to expedite the publication of the order. The group appealed to the Buhari-led Federal Government to immediately initiate a programme to rehabilitate IMN members that voluntarily renounce the group’...

A former Senate President, Ameh Ebute, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to “deal decisively” with members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, popularly known as Shiites. Ebute, a Second Republic Senate President, said this in a letter addressed to President Buhari on Friday, July 26, 2019. The 73-year-old lawyer accused the Shiite group of gaining foreign support with the aim of destabilising Nigeria. “Sir, may I further confide in you openly that you should not succumb to any attempt by the paid protesters whether of armed Shiites or any other group to blackmail your administration in order to have a leeway in their evil designs,” he said. ”This is the time for you to take decisive actions against traitors in any guise; remain firm and steadfast in all your undertakings for greater public good and in the best interest of the country. “The sustained killing of security agents, innocent Nigerians and destructions to public properties by members of the repulsive fanatical IMN se...

Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State said that the state would implement the Ruga settlemnt scheme in spite of its suspension by the Federal Government. The governor made this known on Sunday in Lafia while hosting a delegation of Fulani leaders, associations, elders and Ardos from across the state who came on a courtesy call. He noted that even before its suspension, the Federal Government had made it clear that it was optional for states. The governor explained that his decision to go ahead with the scheme was to ensure peaceful coexistence among the people of the state. “ Even though the Federal Government has suspended its Ruga project, some of us agreed to continue with the same project in our states, hoping that its advantage will become evident ,” Sule stated. While maintaining that meaningful development can only take place under a peaceful atmosphere, Sule commended President Muhammadu Buhari for efforts at ensuring lasting peace across the country. The governor commend...

Governor Okowa says investors in the Kwale Industrial Park project would get quick returns. Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has said that potential investors in Kwale Industrial Park would get quick returns on their investments with governments commitment, availability of materials and conducive atmosphere. The governor made the observation in Asaba when the management teams of Temple Energy and GasInvest , joint consultants to the project, briefed him on the level of progress made so far. “ I am glad that you have made appreciable level of progress in the development of the industrial park. From the analysis given, all is set for investors to come in,” he said. “ I am confident that from the materials available and the conducive environment for industries to thrive, potential investors will get quick return on their investments. “As a government, I want to reassure you, the consultants, of our commitment to the fast take-off of the industrial park. “I want to guarantee that we ...