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The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) says it spent over N28.7 billion out of the N31.7 billion  allocated to  in the 2023 appropriation on completion of electrification projects in the country. The Managing Director of REA, Mr Abba Aliyu said this in Abuja on Monday at the agency’s 2023 capital project implementation report. He said’’ out of the 2023 capital implementation, we have completed projects of over N28.7 billion out of the N31.7 billion allocated to REA. ``We still have about N3.3 billion projects that are ongoing, which we hope to complete in the next two months." Aliyu said that the agency spent N6.3 billion to connect communities within the country to the national grid. He said that the grid extension specifically focused on extending the grid and d...

President Bola Tinubu has pledged to promote the rule of law, adhere to the principles of separation of powers, and tolerate dissenting views within the ambit of the laws of Nigeria. Tinubu, represented by the Vice-President Kashim Shettima, made the pledge on Sunday when he declared open the Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Lagos. He said his administration since assumption of office had been making steady progress in rebuilding the nation through legal and judicial reforms. He urged Nigerians to join hands with his administration in resolutely working towards a Nigeria of everybody's dreams. " While I acknowledge the temporal existence of some daunting challenges besetting us as a nation. " I would like to urge you all not to adopt a defe...

Speaker of the Parlaiment of the Economic Community of West African States, Hadja Memounatou Ibrahima Monday, 26 August 2024 called for establishment of monitoring mechanisms for the implemention of free movement of persons and goods in the sub-region. Ibrahima spoke at the opening ceremony of the delocalised Meeting of the large Joint Committee on Social Affairs, Gender and Women's Empowerment | Legal Affairs and Human Rights | Political Affairs, Peace, Security and African Peer Review Mechanism (MAEP) | Legal and Human Rights | Trade, Customs and Free Movement, in Banjul, the Gambia. The meeting focuses on "The role of Parliament in the implementation of the Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons, and the right of residence and establishment in the ECOWAS area". The Speaker e...

President Bola Tinubu Monday 26 August 2024 appointed new Directors-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the Department of State Services (DSS). Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed is the new Director-General of the NIA. Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi is the new Director-General of the DSS. The new appointments follow the resignation of the previous NIA and DSS chiefs. Ambassador Mohammed has had an illustrious career in the foreign service since joining the NIA in 1995. He had served in various roles, culminating in his promotion to the rank of Director and his subsequent appointment as the head of the Nigerian mission to Libya. The 1990 graduate of Bayero University, Kano, had served in North Korea, Pakistan, Sudan, and at the State House, Abuja. While the new D...

First lady Oluremi Tinubu has congratulated the newly appointed female acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun. Mrs Tinubu, in a statement by her senior special adviser on media, Busola Kukoyi, on Sunday, described Mrs Kerere-Ekun’s appointment as a “well-deserved one”. “Your swearing-in exemplifies that each girl and woman can aspire to get to the pinnacle of their chosen career, but with dedication, hard work, and integrity. “On behalf of every Nigerian girl and woman, I celebrate the newly sworn-in Justice Kekere-Ekun. “In these times where many youth feel they do not have worthy role models, you are an example that depicts the power of education, hard work, and consistency that is being laid out for all to see. “I celebrate you and pray that y...

One person has been confirmed dead as a speed boat carrying 15 passengers capsized at Okubie River in Southern Ijaw Local Government of Bayelsa. The tragic incident occurred barely two weeks after a wooden cargo boat exploded and sank at Ezetu in the same LGA, leading to a fatality of 20 persons. The Bayelsa government subsequently reinforced safety protocols, including the compulsory use of life jackets on all passenger boats. The chairman of the Maritime Workers Union, Ipgansi Ogoniba, who confirmed the incident, said it occurred on Saturday afternoon at the river near Okubie community. He said that 14 passengers were rescued, while one died in the incident. According to him, the cause of the mishap is yet to be ascertained. Also, a witness, who does not wish to be nam...

The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has frozen the bank accounts of 32 individuals and companies linked to the 10-day #EndBadGovernance protest organised nationwide, pending the investigation and prosecution of the case. Financiers were sending money to recruit the indigents and other vulnerable individuals to carry banners and overthrow a democratically elected government. According to him, the preliminary investigation further reveals that some foreign nationals were the arrowheads in the unscrupulous act of treasonable felony and promoting terrorism financing in Nigeria. He said the act of the accused persons is akin to the offence of criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, cyberstalking and cyberbullying. He said it is the function of the pol...

Members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), better known as Shi’ites, have clashed with the police in Abuja. The brawl occurred on Sunday at the Wuse area of the federal capital territory (FCT) during the Arba’een symbolic trek observed by IMN members. In a statement, Josephine Adeh, FCT police spokesperson, claimed members of the group attacked and killed two officers. The police spokesperson added that three officers were rushed to the hospital for medical attention after the incident. The FCT police command wishes to confirm an unprovoked attack by the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria, popularly known as the ‘Shi’ite’ group, on some personnel of the Nigeria Police Force attached to FCT command at Wuse Junction by traffic light, where two (2) police personnel wer...

By Gami Tadanyigbe The Neo Black Movement of Africa worldwide, Gwarinpa Subzone under Abuja Zone has donated Traffic warden stands and reflective Jackets to the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) to help enhance their work in Abuja. Mr. Chukwudi Godian, the President of NBM in ABUJA  during the donation in Abuja, said the gesture was part of their Community Social Responsibility for 2024 in the area. The President who was represented by the Coordinator of Gwarinpa Chapter,  Prince George Eje, said the donation would go a long way to enhance their work through Traffic control and security in the area. The NPF representative Mr.Hamza Galadima who received the items thanked NBM for the donations and promised that the items would be effectively used for its ...

No fewer than 22,500 Nigerians are parading fake certificates, the Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, has disclosed. The certificates, Mamman said were obtained from universities in Benin Republic and Togo and . He said over 21,600 obtained the certificates from an unaccredited universities in Benin Republic within the timeframe, while about 1,105 obtained theirs from some unaccredited universities in Togo. The minister, who disclosed this at a press conference to mark his first year anniversary on Friday in Abuja, said some of the numbers were harvested from records from the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) and other sources. “From all indications, the figure is higher than what we have already. This is because some of the people choose not to participate in the mand...

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Food and Cultural Festival says its upcoming festival holding in Nigeria is aimed at promoting food security, poverty alleviation and zero tolerance for hunger in 16 ECOWAS countries. Its Director-General, Amb. Felix Ihonre, said this at the Preparatory Inter-Ministerial/Stakeholders Meeting on ECOWAS Food and Cultural Festival in Abuja. The ECOWAS Food and Cultural Festival is scheduled to hold in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State from Oct. 6 to 11. Ihonre said that the festival would bring together key players in the food security and security structure to proffer solutions to security challenges that hindered farming and agricultural production in Nigeria and other west African countries. " Nigeria, being the host alone, Nigerians w...

Nigerian youth have been urged to take advantage of its various development programmes to showcase their skills and innovative ideas. Mr Peter Tokoni, Special Adviser to the President on ICT Development and Digital Innovation, gave the advice at a news conference in Abuja on the forthcoming Nigeria Youth Stakeholders Conversation 3.0 (NYSConversation ). Tokoni was represented by Amukoyo Onome, Special Adviser on Special Duties in his office. He said the government was investing in digital infrastructure to drive innovation in every sector and maximise youth potential for national development. “We are providing infrastructure, training, and other innovative ideas to ensure maximum productivity from the youth and the general public,” he said. Mr Blessing Oyefeso, Co-Convener ...

The Executive Se regarding, National Lottery Trust Fund, Comrade, Tosin Adeyanju, said the fund has implemented no fewer than 78 projects nationwide. This is as Adeyanju also urged the government to utilise the fund in its intervention programmes. Adeyanju made the disclosure during an audience with the House Committee on Inter-Governmental Affairs who were on an oversight visit. NLTF EX according to a statement by Arowolo Solomon Alaba, Special Assistant to the Executive Secretary (Media & Corporate Communications), praised President Bola Tinubu for his efforts in alleviating poverty in Nigeria urged the president to utilize NLTF to reach vulnerable Nigerians. " He highlighted NLTF's mandate to support GOOD CAUSES in health, education, environment, sport, water,disaster r...

Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Ahmad Rufai Abubakar, Saturday explained he he resigned from his post. Abubakar had tendered his resignation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House on Saturday evening. He was first appointed in 2018 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, who extended his stay in office in December 2021. Abubakar later told the media that his decision was due to personal and family issues, emphasising that nothing was seriously amiss. He expressed gratitude for the understanding shown by Tinubu and assured that his friendship with the President would endure. The outgoing DG pledged to remain vigilant and concerned about the nation’s security situation, indicating his continued commitment to Nigeria’s well-being despite his...

The Vice-President Kashim Shettima on Saturday emphasised the significance of marital and family values in nation building. Shettima, who was a special guest spoke at the wedding ceremony of Mr Victor Egbetokun, son of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun in Lagos. He called on parents and couples to exercise patience and love in their families which would reflect on the larger Nigerian society. Shettima emphasised key elements for a successful union, stating that "some of the most essential qualities in marriage are communication, patience, tolerance, perseverance, and love." He noted, however, that when "our children come of age, it truly is a painful process letting them go." While underscoring the true essence of marital bliss, Shettima observed that "al...

The Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, has tendered his resignation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Abubakar was first appointed in 2018 by former President Muhammadu Buhari. He tenure was later extended in December 2021. Circumstances surrounding the resignation was still hazy at the time of filing this report.

Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has condemned the abduction, torture and brutal killing of Isa Bawa, the Sarkin Gobir of Gatawa, Sabon Local Government, Sokoto state. The national secretary of MACBAN, Bello Aliyu-Gotomo, made the commendation in a statement on Saturday in Abuja. Mr Aliyu-Gotomo said the killing of the traditional ruler was not only traumatic but also symbolised the barbarity of the perpetrators. According to him, there is no justification for the activities of these murderous gangs. ”MACBAN condoles the government of Sokoto state, the Sultan of Sokoto, the family of the slain emir, as well as the entire people of the state. ”We strongly appeal to the federal government to ramp up the fight against banditry and kidnapping ravagi...

The police command in Benue State has announced the release of 20 students of the University of Maiduguri and University of Jos kidnapped by gunmen on August 15. The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Sewuese Anene, confirmed the development at 11.15 p.m. on Friday in Makurdi. Recall that the students, who were travelling to Enugu for their annual Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students Convention, were abducted in Otukpo. Also kidnapped was a house officer who accompanied them on the journey. Mr Anene, however, declined further details on the rescue efforts. “The victims have been released. Details will be released tomorrow (Saturday) please,” he stated. The students’ came five days after the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, deployed a ...

Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi applauded the Supreme Court verdict that upheld his victory in the November 11 governorship poll on Saturday. Mr Ododo also pledged to deliver good governance to the North-Central state, promising transparency and accountability. In a statement by his media aide, Ismaila Isah, the governor praised the judiciary for rising to the occasion and asserting its position as the last hope of the common man. He decried the several threats and blackmails by people he claimed were “bent on upturning the course of justice and the will of the majority of the people of Kogi.” The governor called on opposition parties to join hands with his administration to bring development to Kogi. The statement further quoted Mr Ododo as praising the judiciary for “holding...