Ridoola's blog

Unuakhalu said that the raid was conducted on Thursday and Friday to clear the notorious camp. The Joint Task Force Operation UDO KA, has raided a notorious camp of elements of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Imo. This is contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the spokesperson of the operation, Lt.-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu. He said that the B44 Camp of Monday Oluchi-Ogu, located around Njaba River on the border between Awo-Omama community in Oru East LGA and Ezoiha community in Mbaitoli LGA of Imo, was destroyed. He added that three Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), one RPG bomb, a motorcycle, seven Baofeng radio, local jewelry, a foreign ATM card, two SIM cards, two voter cards, plate numbers of stolen vehicles and a toolbox were recovered. Unuakhalu said that the raid was conducted on Thursday and Friday to clear the notorious camp. He said that during the clearance operation, the troops came in contact with...

Edward-Maduagwu advised intending couples to go for a genotype compatibility test to avoid having children with sickle cell disorder. Mrs Aisha Edward-Maduagwu, National Coordinator, Association of People Living with Sickle Cell Disorder says sickle cell disorder is responsible for 80 per cent of broken marriages. Edward-Maduagwu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Awka, that the term irreconcilable differences, commonly used during the divorce process, meant genotype incompatible. She said many couples were ashamed to spell out sickle cell disorder as the reason for their broken marriages because they recognised it was a dangerous mistake they could have avoided. According to her, sickle cell is a red blood disease or disorder inherited from couples or parents with unmatched genotypes. Edward-Maduagwu said it was not medically advisable for couples with unmatched genotypes to get married. She lamented that many couples with unmatched genotypes allow faith, spiri...

The minister disclosed that he would meet all the contractors on Tuesday to finalise the readiness to complete ongoing projects. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has expressed joy that President Bola Tinubu’s promise to transform Abuja is turning out successful. Wike stated this in Abuja on Saturday, after inspecting six ongoing projects across the territory. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project sites included the Southern Parkway, from Christian Centre to Ring Road I, being handled by Setraco and Vice President’s Resident being handled by Julius Berger. Other projects visited were B6 and B12, Independence Avenue, also handled by Julius Berger, Wuye Engineering Infrastructure, being handled by Arab Contractors and N-20 Northern Parkway to Outer Northern Expressway in Jahi District, being handled by Gillmor. The minister also inspected the Outer Southern Expressway from Villa Roundabout to Ring Road I, being handled by CGC. ...

Tijani urged the Federal Government to equip some of the vocational programmes with study materials, tailoring machines, carpentry and shoe-making tools. Dr Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, on Friday visited the inmates of Nigerian Correctional Service, Kuje to commemorate the 72nd birthday of President Bola Tinubu. The minister, who was represented by his aide, Nafisa Bello , said the visit was to celebrate the President’s birthday with inmates by providing them with packs of food to put smiles on their faces. Tijani, who wished the President a happy birthday, said the gesture was a way of commending the President’s resilience, pragmatic leadership and commitment to service. He said even though the president had instructed that no one should organise a birthday party or place any birthday goodwill advertorial messages in newspapers, it was a special day. “We are here to celebrate President Bola Tinubu’s 72nd birthday and share love with th...

The renowned publisher said he's overwhelmed by his own projects that required him to be absolutely disciplined and focused. A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain and publisher of Ovation Magazine, Dele Momodu, has issued a sincere public apology for his inability to assist those who recently asked him for help. In a post on his X , formerly Twitter account, on Friday, March 29, 2024, the former presidential hopeful explained why he's currently incapable of rendering assistance. Using the Almighty as his witness, the publisher said he's overwhelmed by his own projects that required him to be absolutely disciplined and focused. He, however, prayed for those who genuinely needed help that God would meet them in their time of need. "SINCERE APOLOGIES… It has become necessary for me to offer apologies to those who have asked me for one support or the other in recent time for my inability to help. God is my witness, I’m currently overwhelmed by my own projects th...

Barrister Bida prayed to God to protect Tinubu and all Nigerians from harm and guide them towards success and righteousness. Barrister Shehu Umar Bida, the Wakilin Marafan Nupe, has sent a special prayer to President Bola Tinubu on the occasion of his 72nd birthday celebration. Born in 1952, Tinubu clocks 72 on Friday, March 28, 2024. Pulse reported that the President had called on his well-wishers and associates to opt for a low-key celebration due to the prevalent economic and other challenges in the country. However, Bida has seized the occasion to shower the President and Nigerians with special prayers and adulations. Below is his message: Grant us Your mercy and forgiveness, O Al-Ghaffar, the Forgiving, and accept our prayers and supplications. Ameen. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.O Allah, the Creator, the All-Knowing, the Most Compassionate, we invoke Your divine presence on this blessed occasion of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu...

One of the wanted people is listed as a professor of Solid State Physics in the Department of Physics on the official website of Delta State University. The Nigerian military has declared eight persons wanted over the recent killing of 17 soldiers in the Okuama Community of Delta State. The military high command announced the names of the wanted persons on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at a press briefing at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja. Among those declared wanted is Ekpekpo Arthur, listed as a professor of Solid State Physics in the Department of Physics on the official website of Delta State University. Others are Igoli Ebi, Reuben Baru, Akata Malawa David, Sinclear Oliki, Clement Ikolo Oghenerukeywe, Andaowei Dennis Bakriri and Akevwru Daniel Omotegbo (Aka Amagben). While announcing the names, Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, said no bounty was placed on the wanted persons. He called on stakeholders and traditional rulers in the Niger Delta region to ...

INEC urged residents of the state to scrutinise the credentials of the candidates ahead of the forthcoming governorship election. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to publish the credentials of 17 governorship candidates in Edo State and their running mates on Saturday, March 30, 2024. The commission’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun , made this known on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. Olumekun said INEC will display copies of Form EC9 along with all academic credentials and other documents submitted by each candidate at the state headquarters and the 18 local government offices across Edo State. He said, “Following the conclusion of party primaries, 17 political parties have uploaded their candidates’ nomination forms for the Edo State Governorship Election by the deadline of 6 pm on 24th March 2024 when the dedicated portal automatically shut down. “The personal particulars of the governorship...

The three dismissed officers would be prosecuted in line with the regulations guiding the corps. The Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, in Ondo State, says it has dismissed three of its officers for professional misconducts. Adetunji Adeleye , State Commander of Amotekun corps, made the disclosure while parading seven suspects for human trafficking and house breaking before newsmen on Tuesday in Akure. Adeleye said the three dismissed officers would be prosecuted in line with the regulations guiding the corps. “Today, we have three Amotekun personnel that had gone through the normal process of court marshal and are being dismissed today for professional misconduct. “They cease to be members of Amotekun Ondo State Corp as from now and we would ensure that adequate punishment would be meted out to them even after dismissal,” he said. Adeleye, who called for more credible intelligence information from residents, said that a vehicle, which was stolen by armed band...

Tinubu says those who resort to kidnapping children are cowards, incapable of confronting the might of the Nigerian Armed Forces. President Bola Tinubu says individuals involved in the kidnapping of innocent citizens must be treated as terrorists. Tinubu, at a Ramadan dinner with members of the Federal Judiciary, also condemned the reprehensible acts perpetrated by kidnappers across the country Hosting the judicial officers, led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola , the President reiterated the government’s resolve to defeat banditry. The dinner was also attended by serving and retired judicial officers, including two former CJNs, Justice Mahmud Mohammed and Justice Walter Onnoghen . He said that those who resorted to kidnapping children were cowards, incapable of confronting the might of the Nigerian Armed Forces. "We must treat kidnappers as terrorists. They are cowardly. They have been degraded. They look for soft targets. They go to schools...

According to one of the family member, the PDP leader was released unhurt. The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Dr Tony Aziegbemi, abducted on March 15 in Benin, has regained freedom. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that Aziegbemi joined the family at 3 am on Tuesday after 10 days in captivity. Clem Aziegbemi , on behalf of the family, said the PDP leader was released unhurt. “As a member of the Aziegbemi family, we say thank you all for your great show of love and solidarity with us all through the period of the adoption of our beloved son, brother, cousin, and leader, Dr Tony Aziegbemi. “Thank you, all…. We are most grateful for all your valuable contributions through prayers and steadfastness. God bless,” he said. Dr Aziegbemi was ambushed at the Bishop Edokpolor Boulevard Junction, Off Country Home, GRA Benin City while returning from Government House where held a meeting with Gov Godwin Obaseki. His abduction came less than a month aft...

Akintelure, who was a medical doctor had recently raised alarm over death threats from some people whose names he didn't disclose. Paul Akintelure, one of the governorship aspirants in Ondo State is dead. According to ThePunch , Akintelure died in the early hours of Tuesday, March 26, 2024, after a brief illness in Lagos. Akintelure, who was a medical doctor had recently raised alarm over death threats from some people whose names he didn't disclose. in a statement by his spokesperson, Oladapo Akintelure , on Thursday, March 21, 2023, said he hoped the threat would dissipate, but it escalated. He said, “ Initially, I hope these incidents would dissipate over time, yet regrettably, they have escalated to pose a serious threat to my life” “The threats against me only strengthen my resolve to stand up for what is right and just. I will not allow fear to dictate our path forward. “Let us embrace peace, progress, and unity. Our collective strength lies in our to stand togethe...

President Tinubu approved the establishment of the Presidential CNG Initiative (Pi-CNG) on Aug. 18, 2023. The Federal Government says it will establish a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) park at the Ajaokuta Steel Company in Kogi. The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Audu , disclosed this in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Lizzy Okoji , on Monday in Abuja. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that CNG is a fuel gas mainly composed of methane and primarily used as a substitute fuel for powering vehicles. It is compressed to less than one per cent of the volume at standard atmospheric pressure. NAN reports that President Bola Tinubu approved the establishment of the Presidential CNG Initiative (Pi-CNG) on Aug. 18, 2023, as part of his palliative intervention aimed at cushioning the difficulties faced by Nigerians due to the removal of fuel subsidy. The initiative aims to revolutionise transportation by deploying over 11,500 new CNG-enabled vehicl...

The governor said that Abiru contributed his quota to the growth and development of Lagos State as Commissioner for Finance between 2011 and 2013. Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, of Lagos State, has congratulated the Chairman of the Southern Senators and member of the Senate representing Lagos East, Sen. Adetokunbo Abiru, on his 60th birth anniversary. Abiru , the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, clocks 60 on March 25. Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile , described Abiru as a seasoned banker, administrator and lawmaker. He said that the senator had used his various positions for the progress of Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole. The governor said that Abiru had contributed his quota to the growth and development of Lagos State as Commissioner for Finance between 2011 and 2013, and now as a two-term Senator, representing the people of Lagos East Senatorial Distric...

The members of unions were pained using the strike as a last resort to drive home their demands, considering the impact it normally had on the students. The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has announced the end of its seven-day warning strike, to give more room for government to do the needful. President of the association, Mohammed Ibrahim , made the declaration at a virtual stakeholders forum, organised by the Education Writers Association of Nigeria (EWAN) on Sunday in Lagos. The forum, which also had I beji Nwokoma , President of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational And Associated Institutions (NASU) in attendance, was on “Withheld Salaries vs Labour Crisis”. The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of affected university labour unions had, on March 18, directed members to down tools, following their four months of withheld salaries and the non-implementation of the agreement they entered into with the Federal Government in 2009. “We had a meeting with...

Sani dismissed the speculations that Gumi had a hand in the rescue of the pupils and their teachers. The Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, says Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, was not involved in the rescue of the pupils and teachers who were recently kidnapped from their schools by bandits. Following the abduction of the pupils about three weeks ago, Gumi offered to negotiate with bandits for the release of the victims. The cleric said it was his religious duty to lead the dialogue between bandits and the government for the sake of peace. But while speaking on Channels TV’s Sunday Politics programme on Sunday, March 25, 2024, Governor Sani dismissed the speculations that Gumi had a hand in the rescue of the pupils and their teachers. The governor clarified that the Nigerian military rescued the victims in collaboration with local authorities from neighbouring Zamfara State, where the hostages were moved by their kidnappers. “ All those speculations you are hearing today ...

Commenting on fear of abuse being expressed by some schools of thought, Pedro said that the advantages of state police were higher than the disadvantages. The Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), says the state is fully ready for state police, only waiting for the whistle to be blown for the creation. Pedro made the statement in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of the 10th Ramadan Lecture organised by Anwar-ul Islam Old Students Association (ACAOSA), on Saturday in Lagos. The Senior Advocate of Nigeria said that he had been advocating for state police as far back as 2001, to improve state security. “As far back as 2001, I have always maintained that the security of this country will be addressed by having state police or community police. “We are talking about a police system that is indigenous to the people themselves. “Lagos is overready for the state police. I can assure you that because we have our own...

The DHQ said Ekpa and others are responsible for crimes of security breaches in the country, including terrorism and insurgency. The Nigerian Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has declared the factional leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Simon Ekpa, wanted. The Finland-based agitator's name was among the 97 persons declared wanted by the military high command for stoking and engaging in violent crimes in the country. The crimes range from terrorism, insurgency, and kidnapping suspects, among others. The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba , confirmed the names of the wanted persons and unveiled their pictures on Friday, March 22, 2024. The development comes barely a week after reports emerged that the DHQ was planning to declare some people wanted for terrorist activities. Meanwhile, the names and pictures released contained designated terrorists from the North East and North West, as well as insurgents in the South-East and North Ce...

The Labour Party (LP) has petitioned the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) over Wednesday’s vandalism of its offices by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). Obiora Ifoh , the LP National Publicity Secretary (LP) said this in the petition, a copy of which was made available to newsmen on Friday in Abuja. “It has become unavoidably necessary to request your urgent intervention, being the Regulatory Agency for trade unions including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). “The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has over the years engaged in a war of attrition with our party. “It came to a head and unbearable when the NLC under the leadership of Comrade Joe Ajaero directed the picketing of our party’s National Headquarters and our chapter offices across the country. “The unwarranted attack in our office resulted in the destruction of several properties,” Ifoh said. He added: “ The NLC claims to be owners of the party and therefore wants to impose the leadership of the party, e...

The group said that members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria had made so much sacrifice for the country. The Niger-Delta Women Professionals have urged the suspects involved in the killing of soldiers from 181 Amphibious Division in Okuama community in Delta, to surrender to the military authorities without delay to restore peace to the troubled communities. The call is contained in a statement by the President and General Secretary of the group, Augusta Wariboko and Dr Agnes Tari , on Friday in Abuja. They also called on people in Okuama and the environs to cooperate with and give security agencies the necessary information to effect the arrest of the culprits. The group said that members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria had made so much sacrifice for the country, adding that they did not deserve such wickedness. They described the killing as unacceptable and capable of truncating the peace in the region. The women's group said the military had played a pivotal role in building p...

The governor frowned at the contamination of water sources for residents in the affected areas. The Benue Government has suspended all mining activities in the state until a miners’ data has been compiled. Gov. Hyacinth Alia gave the directive when he met with members of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Benue Chapter in Makurdi. He also directed the Mineral Resources and Environment Management Committee (MIREMCO) to immediately begin documenting data of all miners in the state. He said that the decision to conduct the revalidation exercise was due to reports of security threats. He also frowned at the contamination of water sources for residents in the affected areas, especially in Kwande. The governor enjoined security agencies and the joint task force on illegal mining to ensure that the right thing was done to enhance the well-being of the people and increase the Internally Generated Revenue. "The state government will not tolerate any illegality. It is our administrati...

Tinubu said that the integrity of the National Assembly must remain intact. President Bola Tinubu says that killers of military personnel in Delta community will face the full wrath of the law in order to curtail attacks on military and security infrastructure. Tinubu said this when he hosted the leadership of the Senate to a dinner to break the Ramadan fast at the State House on Thursday in Abuja. He said that the military would continue to enjoy the support of his administration in neutralising security threats across the country. “ Our armed forces are working hard, and we will not allow attackers to undermine the integrity and value of our armed forces and its leadership. “We will continue to encourage and fight for our sovereignty, our individual rights to exist, and we will succeed in banishing poverty from our land, ’’ the President stated. On the issue of budget padding, Tinubu said that the integrity of the National Assembly must remain intact and that his administration...

The forensic expert assured the public of adequate security and monitoring of samples for the autopsy. Dr Richard Somiari, Director of Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre, has revealed the result of an autopsy conducted on deceased singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, aka Mohbad, will be ready in the next three weeks or four weeks. Somiari gave the assurance while testifying during a coroner’s inquest into the death of the singer. The witness was cross-examined on Wednesday by defence counsel in the inquest. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the musician died on September 12, 2023, and was buried the following day. He was aged 27 years. His death generated controversies, prompting Lagos State Government to direct a coroner’s inquest into the death. The inquest, which began on October 13, 2023, is taking place at the Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court. Somiari told the coroner, Magistrate Adedayo Shotobi , "We expected to get the first set of autopsy results in three to four weeks and...

Tinubu says any minister who intends to go on any 'necessary' foreign trips on public funds must seek his approval at least two weeks before the trip. In a bid to reduce the cost of governance, President Bola Tinubu has banned his ministers and other government officials from embarking on public-funded trips to other countries. The ban will take effect on April 1, 2024, and will last for three months. This development was announced in a letter signed by Femi Gbajabiamila , the Chief of Staff to the President, and addressed to George Akume , the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. The letter partly reads “ Mr President has concerns about the rising cost of travel expenses borne by Ministries, Department and Agencies of Government as well as the growing need for cabinet members and heads of MDAs to focus on their respective mandates for effective service delivery. “Considering the current economic challenges and the need for responsible fiscal management, I am wr...

The Federal Government encouraged Nigerians to adopt a prepaid metering system and directed various distribution companies to make it available. The Kwara House of Assembly has urged Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to direct the Ministry of Energy to investigate the recurring erratic power supply and poor metering system in the state. This followed the adoption on Tuesday in Ilorin of a motion titled “ Need to Address The Poor Services of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company IBEDC and Curb the Extortionist Tendencies of the Company’s Staff in Kwara State”. The motion was sponsored by Alhaji Abdulganiyu Folabi-Salau (APC/Omupo). Folabi-Salau observed that the Federal Government has encouraged Nigerians to adopt a prepaid metering system and directed various distribution companies to make it available. He said this was however being frustrated by IBEDC staff, who prefer to subject innocent customers to outrageous estimated billings which do not commensurate with their electricity co...

The legislative move has sparked intense backlash from activists and human rights organizations. The Gambia’s parliament has voted to advance a bill that could potentially lift the existing ban on female genital mutilation (FGM), positioning the West African nation on the brink of becoming the first country globally to legalize the practice, thereby affecting millions of women and girls. The proposal, which seeks to repeal the 2015 legislation that criminalized FGM, sentencing violators to up to three years in prison, saw a dominant majority vote of 42 to four in favour of its advancement on Monday, March 18, 2024. The argument in favour of FGM Almameh Gibba, the parliamentarian responsible for introducing the contentious bill, defended the motion by arguing it was an effort to preserve citizens’ rights to “practice their culture and religion” in the predominantly Muslim country. Gibba emphasized the bill’s intent to “ uphold religious loyalty and safeguard cultural norms and val...

In a series of tweets on Tuesday, Peter Obi, a practising catholic, highlighted the purpose of his visits to the mosque. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election has explained the reason behind his visit to a mosque in the Nyanya area of Abuja on Monday, March 18, 2024. A viral video of Obi eating rice from a ‘takeaway’ pack and spoon-feeding a boy in the mosque surfaced on Twitter on Tuesday. The video got Nigerians talking as many tweeps had different takes on the video. While some applauded his visit to the mosque, attributing it to his humility, others considered it distasteful. However, in a series of tweets on Tuesday, Obi, a practicing catholic, highlighted the purpose of his visits to the mosque. The former Governor of Anambra said he dined with congregants of the mosque to immerse himself in learning the experiences of Nigerians observing Ramadan and to provide support to those facing hardship. He said, “ The primary purpos...

The commission received the report of the defilement and murder of the nine-year-old girl. Plateau Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission, has urged security agencies to fish out those who raped and brutally murdered a minor in the state. The commission made the call in a statement by the Director of Information and Investigations, Nene Dung , on Monday in Jos. Dung said that the commission received with rude shock the report of the defilement and murder of the nine-year-old girl. Dung said that the commission learnt that the minor was sent on an errand when she was raped and killed by yet-to-be-identified persons. “We call on the Nigeria Police and other security agencies, to fish out perpetrators of the dastardly act to face the full wrath of the law. “All hands must be on deck to ensure that society is safe for children to run errands without fear of molestation or abuse. “This sad incident happened at a time when the governor is making inroads towards ensuring the mainstre...

Peter Obi ate rice from a 'takeaway' plate and also spoon-fed a boy in the mosque. A viral video of Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election dining with Muslims in an Abuja mosque has become a talking point on Twitter. Obi visited the mosque on the evening of Monday, March 18, 2024, when Muslims were breaking their fast. In the video, the former Governor of Anambra was seen eating rice from a 'takeaway' plate and spoon-feeding a boy in the mosque while other congregants gathered around him watching. Obi thereafter addressed the press on the mosque premises but he was inaudible due to the background noise around him. However, Nigerians have taken to Twitter now known as X to express their opinions on Obi’s visit to the mosque, which is said to be located around Nyanya in the Federal Capital Territory. While some ascribed his sitting on the mosque's floor with the masses and spoon-feeding a young boy to his humility,...

The commission assured Nigerians of the safety and protection of their data. The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has dismissed that its database was compromised as a result of the undersea cable cut which disrupted the services of banks and telecom operators in Nigeria. This is contained in a statement by the Head of Corporate Communications of NIMC, Kayode Adegoke in Abuja. The commission assured Nigerians of the safety and protection of their data. The commission’s assurance came as a response to a report from some sections of the media concerning an alleged breach of citizens’ data by a private organisation, XpressVerify. “ We thank media partners and the whistleblowers for bringing this to our attention. "And wish to assure Nigerians and legal residents that there is no data breach of any sort and the Citizens’ data is safe and secure in Nigeria’s National identity database," it stated. The Director-General of NIMC, Abisoye Coker-Odusote , promptly ...

After the win, Putin told reporters that Russia must make its army stronger. Russian President Vladimir Putin says his win will make Russia stronger as results project a landslide. The early result means that Putin looks to have easily won a new six-year term that would enable him to overtake Josef Stalin and become Russia’s longest-serving leader for more than 200 years. After the win, Putin told reporters that Russia must make its army stronger and that the ‘noon against Putin’ protests had no effect. The Russian president added that he would do everything he could to solve the tasks of what he termed Russia’s “ special military operation” in Ukraine. Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. After election results projected a landslide victory, Russian President Vladimir Putin praised China for its success on the world stage. He said relations between China and Russia were sustainable and he was sure they would be stronger in the coming years. S...

In his vote of thanks, Dariye expressed gratitude for the show of solidarity and love by the governor to him and his family, saying he did not take it for granted. Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau has urged the family of former Governor Joshua Dariye, to forgive those responsible for the death of their father as they buried their parents on Saturday. The funeral rites for the late P a Dariye Defyan , who was kidnapped and gruesomely murdered in 2020, took place in Mushere, Bokkos Local Government Area (LGA), of Plateau. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Defwan, who was aged 98, father of Dariye, was buried alongside his wife, Ma Saratu Defyan , who passed on January 28, at the age of 92 Mutfwang, while commiserating with the family members, urged them to let forgiveness take its course as they committed the remains of Pa and Ma Defwan to Mother Earth. “We pray that the good Lord will grant Chief Dariye and the entire members of the Dariye family the fortitude to bea...

According to him, she is a member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers and the Institute of Credit Administration. President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mrs Zubaida Umar as the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). This is contained in a statement by Chief Ajuri Ngelale , Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, on Friday in Abuja. Ngelale said the new Director-General of NEMA had over 20 years of work experience in diverse fields, including Human Resources, Finance and Administration. According to him, she is a member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers and the Institute of Credit Administration. As Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Services at the Federal Mortgage Bank, Umar drove the strategy and repositioning of the bank into a modern, digitised mortgage and financial service provider. “The President expects that the new Director-General will bring the much-needed financial and operational discipline an...

Tinubu said repositioning of the Nigerian economy remains a top priority for his government. President Bola Tinubu has vowed that his administration will spare no effort to defeat corruption, smugglers and those he called “old subsidy beneficiaries,” whom he said are fighting back. The President also said he's deploying resources to critical sectors and areas that significantly impact the welfare of Nigerians. He made these known during a meeting with the Forum of State Chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the State House in Abuja on Friday, March 15, 2024. Tinubu ended the controversial petrol subsidy regime on his first day in office and unified the foreign exchange rates to eliminate age-long arbitrage. However, the two decisions have worsened the economic situation , triggering spiralling inflation and depreciation of the nation's currency, naira. But, the former Lagos State Governor assured Nigerians that his government is hard at work to improve their...

Public records have shown the company has no experience handling similar projects, which raises questions about its ability to handle a project of this magnitude. Some Nigerians have raised concerns over the capability of Messrs MPH Rail Development Limited, a United Kingdom company the Federal Government gave the right to implement the Port Harcourt–Enugu–Calabar–Abuja Standard Gauge Rail Line project under a public-private partnership framework. On March 13, 2024, the Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Ahmed Alkali , signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UK firm on behalf of the Federal Government to enable the company to carry out the design, construction, commissioning, operation and transfer of the project under the PPP arrangement. Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Ahmed Alkali, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UK firm [Twitter:@MinTransportNG] As stated in a post on its website, the ministry said the MoU signing followed the ap...

The concession of the ports was being delayed to allow government conclude its reinvestment plan and reconstruct the ports to meet required standard. The Federal Government requires about 1.1 billion dollars reinvestment in the nation’s ports to renew the concession agreement. The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola , said this when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Privatisation investigating ports concession in Abuja. He said at the moment, the concession of the ports was being delayed to allow government conclude its reinvestment plan and reconstruct the ports to meet required standard. He said that the government would not seat back and watch the ports to completely collapsed. The minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Oloruntola Micheal , said the present agreement between the government and concessionaires was unacceptable. He added that it fell below the required standard, saying, “ under the mord...