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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has threatened to kick out non-performing contractors executing projects in the FCT. Mr Wike made the threat in Abuja on Friday after inspecting the ongoing construction of the 15-kilometre left-wing service lane of the Outer Southern Expressway from Ring Road 1 to Wasa. The threat followed what the minister described as the “disappointing performance” of CGC Nigeria Ltd. executing the project, saying “it is barely 50 per cent as against CGC’s 75 per cent claim. On what he would do to non-performing contractors, Mr Wike said, “We don’t have any relationship with non-performing contractors. Everybody knows our position that if you don’t perform, we kick you out. “There is no sentiment about it. Whether you are an...

The Ondo State PDP governorship candidate, Agboola Ajayi, says the state and its people have not fared well under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last eight years.At a media parley on Friday in Lagos, Mr Ajayi said Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa, the APC governorship candidate for the November 16 gubernatorial election, had yet to deliver on promises. Mr Ajayi, a former deputy governor in the state, said the welfare and safety of the people were the primary objective of governance. “Any political party that deviates from this avowed principle of governance will definitely get it wrong and become a liability to the people. I have a clear vision of how to make it work,” said Mr Ajayi. He said late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu left many problems behind, and they had wo...

By Perpetua Onuegbu A collection of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) accredited observers have called for the establishment of electoral offences commission and audit of voter register. The CSOs made this call at the presentation of Citizens’ Memorandum for Reform of the Electoral Legal Framework on Wednesday in Abuja. They said the commission would address electoral offences that have characterised the nation’s voting process. Speaking on behalf of the CSOs Ibijoke Faborode, Executive Director, ElectHer, said the aim was to reposition the electoral legal framework against the backdrop of recent landmark judicial decisions. Faborode said priority areas of reform in the memorandum included, INEC Independence, efficiency and professionalism, unbundling of INEC, electoral of...

By Joan Nwagwu The Nigeria Union of Local Government Emplyees(NULGE) has urged the Implementation Committee set up by the Federal Government to hasten the process of77 submission of the frame work for the implementation of the Local Government Autonomy. Mr Ambali Olatunji, President of NULGE, said this in a communique issued at the end its National Executive Council meeting on Thursday in Abuja. Olatunji said that it was imperative that the committee hastened the process of the framework to ensure the smooth running of the local government administration. According to him, NEC-in-session admonishes the federal government to immediately take steps towards ensuring the conduct6u of free, fair and credible elections across all local governments in Nigeria. “This is to avoid th...

The Federal Government said President Bola Tinubu is implementing a series of transformative policies and reforms designed to address the missteps of the past and set Nigeria to emerge as a formidable economic superpower in the near future. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated this in Abuja on Thursday at a press conference to unveil the activities lined up for the 64th Independence Anniversary of Nigeria. He said, “Under the visionary leadership of President Tinubu, we have initiated transformative policies and reforms aimed at correcting the missteps of the past and repositioning Nigeria as an economic superpower in the near future. Despite global economic headwinds and the transitional pains accompanying some of the reforms, the President h...

The Senate on Thursday at plenary passed the Federal Capital Territory Administration 2024 Supplementary Appropriation Bill of N288 billion. Senate approves 2024 FCT supplementary budget of N288 billionMr Jibrin commended the joint committee for expeditious processing of the bill. News Agency of Nigeria • September 26, 2024Nigerian SenateNigerian Senate [Photo: TheCable]The Senate on Thursday at plenary passed the Federal Capital Territory Administration 2024 Supplementary Appropriation Bill of N288 billion. PauseUnmuteFullscreenThis followed the adoption of the harmonised report of the Joint Committees on the FCTA and FCT Area Councils. The report was presented by the Joint Committee Chairman, Senator Mohammed Bomai (APC-Yobe). The FCT Supplementary Budget proposal, which ...

A high court sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Thursday sentenced five men charged with the Offa bank robbery incident to death by hanging. The court convicted Ayoade Akinnibosun, Azeez Salahudeen, Niyi Ogundiran, Ibikunle Ogunleye and Adeola Abraham. Delivering judgment, Justice Haleema Saliman held that the five defendants were found guilty of conspiracy, armed robbery, culpable homicide and illegal possession of firearms. Saliman said that the defendants caused the death of people, including police officers and civilians during the armed robbery in Offa, on April, 2018, which is punishable by death. Earlier, the lead prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacob (SAN) said that the prosecution was able to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt and the judgement was done accordingly. ...

By Victor Okoye No fewer than 250 golfers are set to participate at the IBB Independence Golf and Tennis Tournament 2024, organized by the IBB International Golf and Country Club, to commemorate Nigeria's 64th Independence Day. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event promises to be a vibrant celebration of sportsmanship, national unity, and camaraderie, attracting participants and spectators from across the country and beyond. During a press conference held on Tuesday in Abuja, the Club Captain, Ibrahim Babayo, shared the vision behind the Independence Day Cup. Babayo acknowledged that the country is currently facing economic challenges and a growing trend of emigration, often referred to as the “Japa syndrome.” Despite these hurdles, he emphasized that the...

By Joan Nwagwu The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has commended the Federal Government for its ongoing efforts to address regulatory bottlenecks and create a more conducive environment for businesses in Nigeria. Mr Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, Director-General of NECA said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Vice-President Kashim Shettima had recently inaugurated the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Regulators’ Forum. The PEBEC was charged to compel regulatory agencies to eliminate overlaps and align their actions with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda for economic growth and improved ease of doing business. Oyerinde described the move as a significant step towards eliminating the ...

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Sen. Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in Saturday’s Edo governorship election, on his victory at the polls. Mr Okpebholo was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday, having defeated other contenders for the position. Mr Tinubu commended APC national leaders, Edo leaders and party governors for working hard to achieve victory, Bayo Onanuga, the president’s special adviser, information and strategy, said in a statement. The president said the victory testified the people’s support for the ruling party, progressive ideals, economic reengineering programme and commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians. He urged Mr Okpebholo not to gloat over his victory but to ...

President Bola Tinubu, on Sunday, ordered security and law enforcement agencies to take action against individuals involved in trafficking stolen vehicles.The agencies tasked with this responsibility include: the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). Mr Tinubu said Nigeria would continue to work with its international partners to ensure that cyber criminals and organised crime groups involved in transnational car thefts were deprived of the benefits of their illegal activities. The president noted that one of the most effective tools available to law enforcement agencies was depriving criminals of the proceeds of their illicit activities, Bayo Onanuga, his special adv...

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the Edo State governorship election held on Saturday, September 21, 2024. The electoral commission declared Okpebholo winner of the election on Sunday, saying that he polled a total of 291,667 votes to defeat his closest contender, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored a total 247,274 votes. Olumide Akpata, of the Labour Party came a distant third with a total of 22,763 votes. Okpebholo won in 11 local government areas out of the 18 local government areas in the state, while Ighodalo won in the remaining ones. Akpata of the Labour Party lost in all the local government areas including his own local council area, O...

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will investigate allegations of falsified polling unit results in the Edo governorship election. In a post on its official X page on Saturday, the commission said the complaint is the second received out of the 4,519 polling units in the state. “The Commission’s attention has been drawn to an allegation of wrong figures entered into polling unit result sheets in the ongoing Edo State Governorship election,” the post reads. “This is the second complaint we have received out of the 4,519 polling units used for the election. The Commission will immediately investigate the matter and deal with any proven infraction.” Earlier today, Obozuwa Josephine, a presiding officer of the commission, allegedly recorded more votes...

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has uploaded 93.76 percent results of the Edo governorship election on the viewing portal (IReV). A total of 4,237 results out of 4,519 have been uploaded on the IReV. Speaking earlier in an interview with Arise Television, Anugbum Onuoha, the resident electoral commissioner (REC) in Edo, said the governorship election results will be transmitted electronically. Onuoha, however, warned that poor network could hinder the transmission of results to the viewing portal (IReV). You know that we have 4,519 pulling units across the 18 local governments, and so far we have deployed 4,622 BVAS to the various local governments. And we also have backup of 660 BVAS,” he said. “We have trained the operators for the BVAS. They are set....

The Federal Government saysit has spent about 250 million dollars to provide electricity supply to some Federal Universities and teaching hospitals. This initiative is part of President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda to expanding alternative energy access to underserved and unserved rural communities. According to Rural Electrification Agency (REA) the projects were executed under the Energising Education Programme of the Nigeria Electrification Project. The Managing Director of REA, Mr Abba Aliyu said this at a two-day stakeholders engagement forum on the Energizing Education Programme in Abuja on Friday, Aliyu said ''over 250 million dollars has been spent on both phase 11 and 111 of these projects to deploy infrastructure, build distribution network, upgrade sub-stations...

Stakeholders in the Olugbesan Family of Oke-Agbeni, Ibadan, have urged former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Mr. Hazeem Gbolarunmi, to refrain from selling or having anything to do with their properties. In a communiqué released after their monthly meeting on Sunday at the Olugbesan family compound, the stakeholders expressed concern over reports that Mr. Gbolarunmi continues to sell their family land and is attempting to seize additional properties belonging to the Olugbesan family. "Despite our public outcry regarding the illegal sale of our family's land at Olugbesan's village, Mr. Hazeem Gbolarunmi has not ceased this activity. The latest incident involves the unlawful sale of our family's land through one Adeoye Femi (a.k.a Femi Baale and Alfa Leke. We want to state here cate...

By Victor Okoye Lizzy-Ulunma Asomugha has been installed as the 4th President of the Rotary Club of Abuja -Aso Golf. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the presedential ceremony formally installing her in office was held on Thursday at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja The club welcomed some high-profile dignitaries as well as special guests and members to the event, including Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe, His excellency (Barr.) Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, former Minister of Transportation, High Chief Sen. Ben Ndi Obi, Sen. Zam , Amb. Biddy Egbo, Amb. Joe Keshi, Amb. Humphrey Orjiako,amongst others. The ceremony signified the beginning of a new chapter of leadership for the club, and provided guests and members to witness the formal installation of a new lea...

…cites shame, disgrace By Samuel Alonge A well-known family in Osiele, Odeda Local Government Area, Ogun State, has publicly disowned one of its members, Mr. David Abiodun Popoola, citing embarrassment and disgrace caused by his alleged involvement in serial bisexual practices. The decision was announced over the weekend during a press briefing held by David's paternal aunt, Madam Felicia Popoola, and his maternal uncle, Pastor Tunde Akinwande. In her statement, Madam Popoola expressed deep disappointment, stating, "In all sincerity, we all love David as he is an enterprising member of the family who is married and well-to-do. However, we can no longer stand the shame and disgrace brought upon the family by his involvement in bisexual practice." The family’s decision to ...