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A former director-general of the Labour Party (LP) presidential campaign council, Doyin Okupe, says he is not a member of the ruling APC but appreciates the bold reforms being implemented by President Bola Tinubu. Mr Okupe, a former presidential spokesperson, disclosed this on X handle (formerly Twitter) while reacting to criticisms over his appreciation of Mr Tinubu’s initiatives. Mr Okupe has been criticised for always supporting, advising and praising every government in power since 1999. Mr Okupe had served as aide to former President Olusegun Obasanjo and then Goodluck Jonathan as a PDP member. He later joined the Labour Party to support the presidential bid of Peter Obi for the 2023 elections. Mr Okupe said: “I am neither a member of the APC nor an adviser of the admi...

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says that approximately one million Nigerian children die annually before their fifth birthday due to various illnesses. The Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, said this on Friday at a news conference to kick-start the 2024 FCT Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week vaccination. The vaccination exercise, which is free for children aged 0 to 59 months, is scheduled to begin on July 20 and end on July 24. Represented by Dr Babagana Adam, the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Ms Fasawe said that the death rate among children between ages 0 to 59 months compelled the FCTA to continually carry out the vaccination exercise annually. Ms Fasawe said that malnutrition prevalence among these s...

By Joan Nwagwu The leadership of the National Association of Polytechnics Students (NAPS) said it has partnered Domak Group International for land and housing Investment scheme for students and youths across the country. Mr Opeyemi Ridwan, President of NAPS said this at a news conference on Friday in Abuja. Ridwan said that the partnership was to encourage students, youths to own their houses or lands due to high cost of accommodation and occupancy of a house. According to him, this lack of affordable housing options has forced many people to rent rather than purchase a home. "Haven X-rayed the whole situation and most of the challenges facing students and youths in this country to own a land and house. "We discovered that what people need is enlightenment, financial lit...

At least a policeman reportedly died on Thursday when some gunmen attacked the Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shuaibu's security details in Benin, Edo State. Gun battle whas said to have occurred between the gunmen said to be the Edo State Security Network (ESSN) and the deputy governor's convoy. This was also confirmed in a press statement issued by Shaibu’s media team dated July 18, 2024. The statement reads: “The Edo State Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, Thursday afternoon, escaped an assassination attempt on his life in Benin City the state capital. The attempt on the life of the deputy governor and other VIPs, including supporters who were at the Benin Airport to receive him, was carried out at the Airport exit gate roundabout, near Fai...

The new N70,000 minimum wage adopted by the Federal Government after consultation with the Organised Labour on Thursday will be reviewed after three years. Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, said this while addressing State House correspondents. He disclosed this after the meeting between representatives of the Federal Government led by President Bola Tinubu and the Organised Labour. The Minister also said President Tinubu agreed that the national minimum wage review would no longer be done every five years. Idris also said President Tinubu would perfect the proposal on the new minimum wage in a bill to be forwarded to the National Assembly next week. “We’re happy to announce today that both the Federal Government and Organised Labour h...

President Bola Tinubu has approved N70,000 as the new minimum wage for workers in the country. Tinubu announced the minimum wage during a meeting with leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) at the presidential villa on Thursday. Bayo Onanuga, presidential aide, disclosed this in a statement.

The House of Representatives has pledged to donate 50 per cent of their salaries for six months to address the hunger across the country. This was made known at a plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, and Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, on Thursday. It was learnt that the Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu amended the motion, urging his colleagues to sacrifice 50% of their salaries. This government is doing its best but one year is not enough to address the challenges of this country. I want to plead with our colleagues to sacrifice 50 per cent for a period of six months,” the lawmaker was quoted.

By Constance Athekame The Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu has inaugurated the Ministerial Power Sector Working Group to serve as a platform for supervisory, monitoring and oversight control of the power sector. Adelabu, while speaking at the inauguration in Abuja, said that the working group would serve as a platform for the supervision, monitoring and oversight control of the sector. He also said that the group would also clarify issues with detailed explanation of what is happening in the sector, since the activities are inter-related. The minister said that though there had been existence of the meetings in the past, it was necessary to re-introduce and improve on it by inaugurating the group. He said that the major reason for re-introducing the meeting of the work...

The management of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, (AEDC) says it has introduced new initiatives to enhance its operational capabilities for effective service. The Acting Managing of the company, Mr Victor Ojelabi, while speaking with journalists in Abuja on Wednesday said that the new team's "commitment to serve the customers is unwavering. He also assured the customers that the new changes effected will bring about a significant improvement in the service delivery Ojelabi said that the series of initiatives were embarked upon by AEDC to transform its operations and enhance service delivery to their esteemed customers. He said ''the new leadership team is poised to drive the organisation to new heights of operational excellence and customer satisfaction. He list...

By NAN As part of efforts to combat blindness in the country, Nigerians aged 40 years and above have been advised to go for regular eye checks and consult a qualified ophthalmologists for treatment when diagnosed with an eye disorder.  Dr. Fatima Kyari, Registrar, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) made the call during the  2nd Advanced Glaucoma surgery course and Nurses Glaucoma training surgery course held at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) Gwagwalada. Dr. Kyari, who is also a Consultant Ophthalmologist and Clinical Glaucoma Lead at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, described glaucoma as the 'Silent Thief of Sight' adding that frequent eye test was paramount as part of Preventive measures.  According to her, th...

By NAN As part of efforts to combat blindness in the country, Nigerians aged 40 years and above have been advised to go for regular eye checks and consult a qualified ophthalmologists for treatment when diagnosed with an eye disorder.  Dr. Fatima Kyari, Registrar, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) made the call during the  2nd Advanced Glaucoma surgery course and Nurses Glaucoma training surgery course held at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) Gwagwalada. Dr. Kyari, who is also a Consultant Ophthalmologist and Clinical Glaucoma Lead at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, described glaucoma as the 'Silent Thief of Sight' adding that frequent eye test was paramount as part of Preventive measures.  According to her, th...

By NAN As part of efforts to combat blindness in the country, Nigerians aged 40 years and above have been advised to go for regular eye checks and consult a qualified ophthalmologists for treatment when diagnosed with an eye disorder. Dr. Fatima Kyari, Registrar, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) made the call during the 2nd Advanced Glaucoma surgery course and Nurses Glaucoma training surgery course held at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) Gwagwalada. Kyari, who is also a Consultant Ophthalmologist and Clinical Glaucoma Lead at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, described glaucoma as the 'Silent Thief of Sight' adding that frequent eye test was paramount for Preventive measures. According to her, the surgery courses funded by the Tropical H...

The faction of the Rivers State Assembly loyal to Governor Siminalaye Fubara has described the move to stop the governor from spending the state’s revenue as unfounded. The speaker of the faction, Victor Oko-Jumbo, said at a sitting of the assembly in Port Harcourt on Tuesday that such a move was illegal and unpopular. Recall that the Martins Amaewhule-led faction passed a resolution on Monday, stopping the governor from embarking on further expenses from the 2024 budget. The Amaewhule-led faction, loyal to the former governor, Nyesom Wike, held that the seven-day ultimatum given to the governor to represent the 2024 budget had elapsed. Mr Oko-Jumbo said that the 2024 budget of the state was validly presented and passed into law under the leadership of the then speaker, Edison...

President Bola Tinubu commiserates with the National Assembly and the Kaduna State Government over the passing of Ekene Adams. Adams represented Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency of Kaduna State in the House of Representatives. The President also extended his condolences to the family and friends of the late lawmaker. He urged them to find solace in the Almighty and in the legacy of the deceased. “President Tinubu prays for the repose of the soul of the departed lawmaker and strength to his family,” said a statement by his spokesman on Tuesday. Adams was elected into the House on the platform of the Labour Party and died early Tuesday. Adams was the chairman of the House Committee on Sports before his death. He reportedly died after a brief illness.NAN

The Police has arraigned a 53-year-old security guard, Nosifa Amodu, in an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, Oyo State, over alleged theft of car battery and headlamps. Amodu, whose address was not provided, is being tried for negligence and stealing, to which he pleaded not guilty. The prosecutor, Insp Femi Omilana, told the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offences on Wednesday at Oke-Ado, Ibadan. Omilana said the defendant neglected his duty of caring for a Sienna car, belonging to one Mr Oyebisi Oyesina. The prosecutor said due to the negligence, the battery and headlamps of the car, worth N85,000 and N100,000 respectively, were stolen. According to the prosecutor, the offences contravened Sections 515 and 390(9) of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 200...

Dr Tommy Okon, President, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCN) and other officials, while addressing newsmen. By Joan Nwagwu The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCN), has rejected the recent National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) judgement reinstating Mr Innocent Bola-Audu as the President of the union. Dr Tommy Okon, ASCN President said this while addressing newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja. It would be recalled that the union had earlier file for an appeal and stay of execution from the Court of Appeal to restraint Bola-Audu from taking over the union as it's President. Okon said that the appeal and stay of execution obtained from the appeal court prevents Bola-Audu from taking over leadership of the union. According to Okon, dissati...

Police in Kenya have arrested a suspected serial killer in connection with the discovery of mutilated women’s bodies at a rubbish dump in the capital Nairobi. According to the police on Monday, investigators said the 33-year-old man was arrested on Sunday evening while watching the European Championship final in a pub. The police said the man has admitted murdering 42 women. He then dismembered them and put their remains in plastic bags before throwing them into a former quarry in a Nairobi neighbourhood, the police said. “We are dealing with a psychopath, a serial killer with no respect for human life,” said Mohamed Amin, the head of the criminal investigation department. The investigation began last Friday after body parts were found at the dump. By Sunday, the police ...

The police command in Benue has said suspected herders attacked the Egwuma community in Agatu Local Government Area and killed five persons. The state police public relations officer, SP Sewuese Anene, confirmed the development to journalists in Makurdi on Monday. Ms Anene said the command had deployed additional personnel to the area to maintain peace. Godwin Edoh, a member representing the Agatu constituency in the state House of Assembly, also confirmed the attack but put the number of victims at 12. The lawmaker lamented the incessant killings of his constituents and called on governments and security agencies to take proactive measures to curtail the attacks. “Government has to be decisive about what to do about this area because it is so porous,” the lawmaker said. ...

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has lifted its visa ban on Nigerians. The Federal Government of Nigeria and the UAE have reached an agreement that will enable Nigerians to access UAE visas. The agreement takes immediate effect, allowing Nigerian passport holders to travel to the UAE. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the announcement at the Presidential Villa, stating that an agreement has been reached between the governments of Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). As a backdrop to this development, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had previously imposed a visa restriction on Nigerian citizens in October 2022. Additionally, Emirates Airlines suspended its flight operations to Nigeria in November 2022.