Ridoola's blog

Abia's first lady says the government is committed to the full implementation of the state's disability law. Priscilla Otti, the wife of Abia State governor, Alex Otti, on Tuesday, donated about 100 white canes to the visually impaired in the state. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the canes were distributed during a ceremony organised to mark this year's International White Cane and Safety Awareness Day in the state. The day is observed globally on every October 15, to create awareness on the significance of the white cane as a tool of independence for the blind. The State Government, however, rescheduled the celebration for October 31. The event, which was organised by the state chapter of the Nigeria Association of the Blind, in collaboration with the Office of the Governor's Wife and Ministry of Women Affairs, started with a road walk, followed immediately with a seminar at the ministry's secretariat. In a speech, the governor's wife told ...

The agencies were summoned due to their absence during a committee sitting aimed at addressing the audit queries against them. The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC), has summoned the leadership of the Nigeria Communications Satellite Ltd (NIGCOMSAT), Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRE), and other government agencies to address a significant ₦20.853 billion audit query. Other agencies included in this action are the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) and three other entities. The committee, led by Rep Bamidele Salam , has issued a 72-hour ultimatum for these agencies to appear before it. The audit queries, totaling ₦20.853 billion, were raised against these agencies by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation. Notable among the summoned agencies are the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), and the Federal University of Petroleum Studies in Effurum, Delta State. Salam emphasi...

Online community engages in lighthearted banter over viral video of Fubara and police. The recent turmoil at the Rivers State House of Assembly, where lawmakers signed an impeachment notice against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, took a surprising turn on social media. Amidst the political chaos that ensued on Monday, October 30, 2023, Nigerians online found an unexpected source of amusement. The crisis escalated in Rivers Assembly as Speaker Martin Amaewhule served the impeachment notice on Governor Fubara, triggering a storm of outrage. Fubara's supporters, gathered outside the Assembly Complex, vehemently resisted the planned impeachment. Lawmakers hastily fled the premises as tear gas canisters were fired outside the building, adding to the chaotic scene. In the midst of this political chaos, a video surfaced showing a water canister incident involving Fubara. This video quickly went viral, capturing the attention of the online community. Drawing from the discussion about t...

Ajaero declared that any meeting with the Federal Government would exclude the Minister of Labour and Employment. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is set to meet with the Federal Government today. The focus of the discussion will be the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on subsidy removal palliatives. President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero , voiced his concerns in a statement released on Sunday, October 29, 2023. He pointed fingers at government officials indulging in foreign luxury products, attributing this to the alarming depreciation of the national currency. Ajaero cautioned that the nation faced severe consequences if the naira didn't stabilise against the American dollar soon. Ajaero emphasised the urgent need for public officials to shun foreign goods, asserting that this practice was directly linked to the plummeting value of the naira in international markets. The NLC threatened to boycott the impending meeting, citing their deep dissatisfacti...

The Media Adviser added that details of arrangements for the burial of the late Mrs Lawson would soon be announced by the family. The Iyalode of Yorubaland, Mrs Alaba Lawson, has died at the age of 72 years. Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji , the Media Adviser to the deceased, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abeokuta on Saturday. He said the notable entrepreneur and educationist passed on in the early hours of Saturday in her house in Abeokuta. Kayode-Adedeji added that Iyalode’s corpse had been deposited at a private mortuary. “We lost our mother and benefactor to the cold hands of death this morning in her private residence in Abeokuta. ”It was a sad Saturday morning, but we cannot question God who knows the best. We thank God for her life because she lived a fulfilled life. “Iyalode came, saw and conquered, and she will forever continue to rest in perfect peace,” he said in the statement. The Media Adviser added that details of arrangements for the burial of the late Mrs Lawso...

IPOB has threatened to drag the Federal Government to court if it continues to label it a terrorist organisation. The proscribed group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has informed the Federal Government to discontinue labelling it a terrorist organisation or be ready to defend such a tag in court. The administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari had designated the secessionist group as a terrorist organisation in 2017 following an ex parte order granted by Justice Abdul Kafarati in September of that year. Though the pro-Biafran group has severally rejected the appellation on the argument that it's only interested in the breakaway of the Southeast region from the rest of the country, it is forced to carry the tag until a court rules otherwise. Meanwhile, in a statement by its spokesman, Emma Powerful , on Friday, October 27, 2023, IPOB said the proscription order had been appealed at the appellate court by its legal team since 2018. However, the group said the...

The Supreme Court dismissed the appeals filed by Obi and Atiku and affirmed the victory of Tinubu in the February 25 election. Rights activist and co-convener of the #BringBackOurGirls, Aisha Yesufu, has remained adamant that President Bola Tinubu is not her president. Yesufu stated this shortly after the Supreme Court delivered judgement on the appeals brought against President Bola Tinubu 's election by the Labour Party and its candidate, Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Thursday, October 26, 2023. Earlier in the day, a seven-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice John Inyang Okoro , struck out Atiku and Obi's petition for lacking merit. The petitioners had claimed that the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) erred in its judgement of September 6, which affirmed Tinubu's victory as the winner of the February 25 election. Their argument was based on claims that the Tinubu should be nullified on the grounds of...

Mohbad's death has been generating controversies, prompting the Lagos State Government to direct a coroner’s inquest into the death. Mrs Abosede Aloba, the mother of deceased singer Ilerioluwa Aloba (a.k.a Mohbad), on Wednesday, told a coroner’s court that her relationship with the late singer was not cordial for a long time. Abosede said that the soured relationship was because Mohbad’s father, Joseph , took him away and instructed him not to contact her. She, however, told the Coroner, Magistrate Adedayo Shotobi , that she began to relate better with him in 2019. She testified during a Corner’s inquest into the death of his son. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the musician died on Sept. 12 and was buried the following day. He was 27 years. His death has been generating controversies, prompting the Lagos State Government to direct a coroner’s inquest into the death. The inquest, which began on Oct. 13, is taking place at the Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos...

Chief Timipre Sylva and Joshua Maciver removed from the list of qualified candidates. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially removed the Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Timipre Sylva, and his deputy, Joshua Maciver, from the list of qualified candidates for the upcoming Governorship election in Bayelsa State. This decision was made following a recent court order instructing the exclusion of the APC candidates from the election. Rose Oriarian-Anthony , the Secretary of INEC, confirmed in a statement that the Commission had published the list of candidates for the Bayelsa State Governorship election on June 9, 2023, adhering to the provisions of Section 32 of the Electoral Act, 2022 (as amended). However, subsequent to this publication, INEC received a court order related to the nomination of the APC candidate for the 2023 governorship election in Bayelsa State. "In light of the court order received after the pub...

#FeatureByPolarisBank Here are 10 ways Polaris Bank is boosting girl-child education in Nigeria: Demonstrating Commitment: Polaris Bank's unwavering commitment to the education of the girl-child was showcased through the recent donation of educational materials to over 400 students in Surulere and Ikeja as part of its ongoing CSR intervention in the Girl-Child Education Project in Lagos State. This initiative reinforces the Bank’s stance on the transformative power of education. Empowering the underprivileged: The CSR initiative aims to empower underprivileged girls by providing them with essential educational materials, including; school uniforms, bags, pens, and books, thus ensuring they have the necessary tools to pursue their education without hindrances. Combatting social challenges: By actively supporting the girl-child education project, Polaris Bank is combating the prevalent issue of early marriages in the Nigerian society. The focus on education is a powerful tool...

Mutfwang wants appointees to uphold the sanctity of accountability probity, justice, and fairness. Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau has said that he would not tolerate disloyalty, indiscipline, flagrant abuse of office and indolence from appointees in the discharge of their duties. Mutfwang gave the warning shortly after swearing in eight new Permanent Secretaries to the state civil service on Tuesday at Government House Jos. Represented by his Deputy, Josephine Piyo , the governor said the new appointees must render diligent service to the Mutfwang adminstration and people of Plateau. "Failure in this regard will be considered unfit and shown the way out. You must therefore remain focused and join hands with my administration in the implementation of our programmes and policies to deliver on “the time is now mandate," he said. Mutfwang congratulated the appointees and urged them to bring their wealth of experience to bear in the discharge of their duties and adhere t...

The programme will empower girls, teachers and the provide for additional schools in the country. The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, said on Monday that President Bola Tinubu had approved additional funding for the training and empowerment of adolescent girls in the country. Mamman disclosed this while addressing State House correspondents on the outcome of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The minister said, "Two things I want to mention and comment on, which are very important parts of the deliberations and resolutions in the council today. "One, is additional funding for the training and empowerment of adolescent girls in Nigeria. One of the major policies of government is to target the education, training and empowerment of young girls into society. "Initially from seven participating states, we will now have about 11 additional states participating in this project, which will lead to the empowerment of gir...

The governor says making Lagos the preferred tourism destination is in line with his developmental agenda. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has reiterated his administration's commitment to make the state a tourism destination in the world. Sanwo-Olu said this on Monday while receiving the chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa , and her delegates, who were on a courtesy visit to Lagos House, Ikeja. The delegation visited Sanwo-Olu to appreciate him and the Lagos State government for a successful celebration of the 2023 edition of the Diaspora Festival, tagged, Door of Return in Badagry. He said making Lagos State the preferred tourism destination was in line with the Entertainment and Tourism pillar of the THEMES+ developmental agenda. The governor said his government was intentional about making Lagos State, particularly Badagry, a preferred tourism destination. The Door of Return , initiated to help some Black Diasporas ...

PAYE was the most contributing revenue source in 2022 with a 67.62% share to the total tax generated revenues nationwide. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) recorded a 1.6% year-on-year growth in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to ₦1.92 trillion in 2022 from ₦1.89 trillion in 2021. This is contained in NBS report on Internally Generated Revenue At State Level for 2022. According to NBS, the 2022 IGR had two major revenue sources namely; taxes and Ministries, Departments and Agencies' (MDAs) revenue. The bureau said taxes sub-category recorded in the period are pay as you earn (PAYE), direct assessment, road taxes, stamp duties, capital gain tax, withholding taxes, other taxes and LGAs revenue. According to the report, "Similar to what was recorded in 2021, the leading states in total IGR in 2022 were Lagos, Rivers, and the FCT with ₦651,145,633,085.30, ₦172,823,232,535.44, and ₦124,366,774,519.25, respecti...

Wale Edun revealed that the Nigerian government would proceed to accept the $3.5 billion loan, which comes with a zero-interest rate. The Federal Executive Council (FEC) under President Bola Tinubu's leadership has approved a hefty $3.45 billion loan. The decision was made during a FEC meeting held on Monday, October 23, 2023. Speaking to the press after the meeting, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun , revealed that the Nigerian government would proceed to accept the $3.5 billion loan, which comes with a zero-interest rate. The repayment period spans 40 years, with an initial 10-year moratorium, making the payments scheduled to commence from 2033. Edun expressed his gratitude for the unanimous approval from the FEC. He elaborated, “ Today at the Federal Executive Council, I presented five memos which were gracefully approved by the Council. They had to do with concessional and, in many cases, zero-interest financing by the World Bank an...

He dismissed the claims of a crisis within the Supreme Court, reaffirming the court's commitment to upholding justice. The Supreme Court of Nigeria has denied recent reports claiming the withdrawal of five justices from the panel scheduled to hear the appeals of Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Peter Obi, the candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the February 25 presidential election. Dr. Festus Akande , the Director of Press and Information at the Supreme Court, emphatically assured the public that the panel remains intact and will duly hear the appeals today, as previously scheduled. Contrary to the rumors circulating online, Akande clarified the situation: “ This is not true. The panel is ready. You will see all the Justices tomorrow (today). There is no crisis anywhere, as claimed by those online platforms. ” He dismissed the claims of a crisis within the Supreme Court, reaffirming the court's commitment to upholding justice. In ...

Dangiwa said the ministry had mapped out clear actionable steps to make this possible for Nigerians in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu. The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, says the Federal Government plans to build 34,500 homes in selected cities across the 36 states in the first phase of its Renewed Hope Cities Project. Dangiwa said this when he received the acting Controller-General of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Mrs Caroline Adepoju on a courtesy visit in Abuja on Saturday. He said increasing access to decent quality and affordable housing for all Nigerians was a major priority of the government. “Our Renewed Hope Cities will be inclusive and integrate all segments of Nigerians .”They will comprise one-, two-- and three-bedroom affordable bungalows and multilevel flats catering for low to medium-income earners. “Despite the challenges, we plan to build Renewed Hope Cities nationwide with the first phase dealing with 34,500 ...

The rally had in attendance hundreds of Muslim faithful who carried placards with various inscriptions to call for an end to Israel's bombardment of Gaza. Muslim faithful across the country converged for a mega rally in Lagos on Saturday, October 21, 2023, to demand justice for the suffering people of Gaza in Palestine amid ongoing bombardment by the Israeli army. The demonstrators called for an end to the continued occupation of Gaza by the Israeli forces. The area is a tiny strip of land with over two million population, mostly Muslims. Operating under the banner of the Conference of Islamic Organisations, the mega rally drew participants from various Muslim organisations, civil society groups, students and Islamic scholars. Also in attendance from the human rights community was the Amnesty International (AI) Nigeria, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani. Matching along the streets of Lagos, the protesters carried placards and banners with various inscriptions to demand an end to the killi...

FeaturebyAAAN In an exclusive interview, the President of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), Mr. Steve Babaeko, discusses the inspiration behind the Unity Song, the state of the nation, and future projections for Nigeria What inspired the Unity Song by AAAN ? The confluence of the 50th anniversary of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria and the 63rd independence of our beloved nation, Nigeria, within the same year, presented a unique opportunity. The committee entrusted with the task of orchestrating a year-long celebration for the association conceived a multitude of exceptional ideas. Among these, the notion of crafting a theme song to honour Nigeria emerged. Encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive response received from citizens across the country, we take immense pride in having fulfilled our commitment to steadfastly support our nation. In pursuit of this aspiration, we joined forces with the legendary singer and songwriter, Cobhams Asuqu...

Obi said Nigeria has continued to retrogress on many fronts despite the youth's yearning for good governance. Peter Obi, the Labour Party torchbearer in the February 25 presidential election, said Nigeria has refused to learn from the 2020 EndSARS movement. Three years ago, Nigerians took to the streets across several cities to demonstrate their anger over brutality being meted out to citizens by the now-defunct police unit, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, otherwise known as SARS. Tagged EndSARS, the movement that started as civil disobedience against police brutality, later became a platform for frustrated citizens to demand better governance from the leaders. While the Federal Government was able to answer the call to scrap SARS, other concerns raised during the nationwide protests still linger to date. In marking the movement’s third anniversary, Obi took to his Twitter (now X ) account on Friday, October 20, 2023, to bear his mind. “We remember their youthful yearnings f...

The Labour Party candidate dismissed the notion that he's in the Imo governorship race as a forerunner for Governor Uzodimma. Athan Achonu, the Labour Party candidate in the Imo governorship election, has declared that his opponent and incumbent, Hope Uzodimma, can't persuade him to drop his ambition. While speaking in an interview on Channels Television's Politics Today on Friday, October 20, 2023, Achonu maintained that he remains the candidate to beat in the November 11 contest. This is coming following speculations in some quarters that the Labour Party candidate is a forerunner for Uzodimma and would soon be bought off. Commenting on this, Achonu shrugged off the notion, insisting that the incumbent won't be able to buy him over, not even with $100m. “The people of Imo State already know the truth. They are following me. How can I be a placeholder for Hope Uzodimma? Give me $1 million? That’s not possible,” “I have been around in this country. I am very well ...

The governor said Nigerians should also be allowed free access to weapons like bandits to protect themselves. The Governor of Katsina State, Dikko Umar Radda, has advocated for Nigerians to be given access to buy weapons such as AK-47s and RPGs to protect themselves. The governor argued that if bandits could have free access to deadly weapons, which they use to terrorise the citizens, ordinary Nigerians should equally have the same leverage to ensure their protection. Radda also wants Nigerians to stop holding governors responsible for security challenges in their states, noting that, though they're called the chief security officers, governors lack the authority to command the security agencies. The governor said these during a media chat in Katsina on Friday, October 20, 2023. He called on the Federal Government to assume a more critical role in securing lives and property in the county. "If a bandit can go to the market and buy AK-47, RPG, and all of those weapons, wha...

#FeatureByPatrickLee As the cryptocurrency market expands and the number of cryptocurrencies increases, the need for secure and reliable storage solutions becomes increasingly important. Cryptocurrency wallets play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and authenticity of transactions. Investors and users are seeking reputable and trusted wallet options to protect their digital assets. For anyone who wants to navigate the world of cryptocurrencies with ease, these wallets' security and convenience are essential. In this article, we are going to present to you a curated list of the top 5 cryptocurrency wallets to explore in 2023. Click here to know more about Trader AI Coinbase Wallet Coinbase Wallet, a separate product from the renowned Coinbase exchange, provides users with the ability to store their cryptocurrencies independently. While Coinbase operates as a centralized exchange, Coinbase Wallet allows individuals to take control of their digital assets. This integration wi...

The group leader called on Edo people both at home and in Diaspora, to rally behind the LP aspirant as he embarked on a transformative journey. Ahead of the 2024 governorship election in Edo, a group under “Take Back Edo (TBE)” has drummed support for the aspiration of Ken Imansuangbon under the platform of the Labour Party (LP). The group declared its support on Wednesday at a news conference in Benin. The group, co-founded by Princess Esosa Edebiri , said Imansuangbon stood head and shoulders above other aspirants in the race. Edebiri maintained the governorship aspirant, who is a proprietor of Pacesetter Group of Schools, Abuja, has consistently demonstrated unwavering commitment to the betterment of the state. “He envisions a vibrant and thriving Edo State economy, achieved through job creation, support for local businesses and attracting investments. “As a founder of Pacesetters Group of Schools, his watchword has always been excellence while uplifting thousands of Edo child...

The UNICEF Education Consultant charged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the training and acquire new technical knowledge. The Adamawa Mass Education Board in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) are training 3,000 youths and women in the Hong Local Government Area of the state on vocational education. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was developed by UNICEF, funded by the German Government and implemented by the Mass Education Board. Speaking at the opening of training on Wednesday in Hong, the board’s Executive Secretary, Aminu Umar , said the beneficiaries would be trained in sewing, welding fabrication, interlocking and tiling, poultry farming, fashion design, shoe and bag making. He lauded Governor Ahmadu Fintiri for providing an enabling environment to non-governmental organisations that brought meaningful programmes to the state. The UNICEF Education Consultant, Joel Jutum , charged the beneficiaries to take advanta...

In his remarks, actor Femi Adebayo said that Sanwo-Olu’s unwavering support for the creative industry gives artists more confidence in the industry. The Lagos State Government says it has allocated ₦4.64 billion to upscale tourist sites within the state for this year. Toke Benson-Awoyinka , the state’s Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, disclosed this on Wednesday during the groundbreaking ceremony of the 100 million dollar Lagos Film City in Ejinrin-Epe. Benson-Awoyinka said that some of the sites upscaled so far were the J.Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and Agia Tree project. “The Lagos state government has been deliberate in its various steps in this sector, it has committed huge sums to upscaling the various tourist centres across the state. “For this year 2023, a total amount of ₦ 4.635 billion was specifically allocated for this purpose. “Among the list of beneficiaries are the recently commissioned J.Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture, and the Agia Tree project,...

In the area of security, Jinping promised a continued crackdown on terrorists, assuring that China was committed to peace in the Sahel region. The People's Republic of China has expressed commitment to refinancing and completing the Abuja-Kano and Port Harcourt-Maiduguri railway projects. This is contained in a statement issued by Stanley Nkwocha , Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice-President. The statement, released on Wednesday in Abuja, quoted the President of China, Xi Jinping , making the pledge while responding to requests made by President Bola Tinubu during a bilateral meeting with the Chinese leader in Beijing. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tinubu was represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima at the Belt and Road Initiative Forum (BRI) held in China. NAN recalled that since the launch of the projects, China has yet to release funds for the two major railway projects in Nigeria largely due to c...

The group argued that the appointment of Olukoyede contravened the extant laws guiding the appointment of the EFCC chairman. On Tuesday, October 17, 2023, protesters stormed the National Assembly to oppose the confirmation of Ola Olukoyede as the substantive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Before the protest, President Bola Tinubu had sent a letter to the Senate, seeking the confirmation of Olukoyede and Muhammad Hammajoda as Chairman and Secretary of the anti-graft agency respectively. The letter was read to the lawmakers by the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau during plenary on Tuesday. It would be recalled that President Tinubu announced the appointment of both Olukoyede and Hammajoda on Thursday, October 12, 2023. The appointment came four months after the suspension of the former EFCC chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa. In the statement announcing their appointments, the presidency said, “Mr Olukoyede’s appointment followed the resignation o...

Outgoing Chairman and CEO has been directed to proceed on a three-month pre-retirement leave. President Bola Tinubu has dissolved the board of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), ushering in a new era for the agency. The announcement was made on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale . Jalal Ahmad Arabi has been appointed as the new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission for an initial term of four years, according to the statement. Outgoing Chairman and CEO, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan , has been directed to proceed on a three-month pre-retirement leave starting from October 18, 2023. This leave, as specified by the Public Service Rule (PSR) 120243, paves the way for his eventual retirement from service on January 17, 2024. Alhaji Jalal Ahmad Arabi will assume office in an acting capacity on October 18, 2023. Subsequently, he will continue his role in a substantive capacity for a f...

The budget is expected to consolidate on the various economic reforms initiated by the administration. The Federal Government has proposed the sum of ₦26.01 trillion for the 2024 appropriation based on oil price benchmark of $73.96 and 21% interest rate. Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu , disclosed this to State House Correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Monday in Abuja. He said that the budget would be presented to the National Assembly before the end of the year since President Bola Tinubu was already engaging with the legislative arm towards getting their buy-in. He said that the budget was expected to consolidate on the various economic reforms initiated by the present administration aimed at improving the standard of living of Nigerians and attracting investors. Bagudu said assumption of the budget was based on the various diplomatic engagements by the president and other government functionaries that were expected...

Utsev noted that investment in hygiene infrastructure and products must be accelerated in schools, homes, healthcare facilities and the public places. The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, has called for collective action from all stakeholders to encourage the culture of handwashing in all parts of the country. Utsev made this call at an event to commemorate the 2023 Global Handwashing Day with the theme, “Clean Hands are within our Reach” on Monday in Abuja. According to him, the Federal Government has, over the years, demonstrated its commitment to the hygiene promotion with the development of the Nigeria Roadmap to Hand Hygiene for All, launched in 2022 to chart the path to a sustainable hand culture. He said for people to be able to practice hand hygiene, they needed access to hand hygiene facilities that were conveniently located and easy to use, saying people were more likely to use them when available. Utsev noted that investment in hygiene inf...

Hamas massacred Israeli civilians in border towns and at a music festival on Oct. 7. Israel has no interest in widening the current conflict, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has said. Gallant was speaking against the background of an exchange of fire across the country’s northern border with Lebanon. Speaking to Israeli troops on the edge of the Gaza Strip, Gallant said: “ We do not want any escalation of the situation.” Gallant made direct reference to the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia active in southern Lebanon. “If Hezbollah opts for war, they will pay a very high price,” he warned. “But if they restrain themselves, we will respect that and keep the situation as it is,” he added. Turning to the expected ground offensive by Israeli troops deployed around the Gaza Strip, Gallant said that Israel had a job to do. The war in Gaza would be intensive, deadly, and precise, he said, adding: “ And it will change the situation forever,” he predicted. Meanwhile, one week after the st...

The state government said the suspects would all be arraigned before appropriate courts of law on Monday along with the property owner. The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, on Sunday vowed to prosecute all the 11 employees of 10 POTS Night Club, located at 2A Admiralty Way, Lekki, who assaulted state officials on duty. The Director, Public Affairs, Kunle Adeshina , said this in a statement on Sunday in Lagos. Adeshina said that the club staff also broke the seal of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) and the property owners. He said that the commissioner spoke in the aftermath of the arrest of the 11 employees (4 male, 7 female) of 10 POTS Night Club, who were arrested after brutalizing state officials who had earlier sealed the premises for noise pollution. He added that they would all be arraigned before appropriate courts of law on Monday along with the property owner to serve as a deterrent to others who migh...