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The Consolidated APC Grassroots Movement has called on the newly sworn-in Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State to consolidate on the achievements of his late predecessor, Rotimi Akeredolu. CAGRAM gave the advice in a statement by its Deputy National Chairman, Dr Agbi Stephen, on Thursday in Ibadan, Oyo State. Mr Aiyedatiwa, former deputy governor, was sworn in as the state governor on Wednesday following the demise of Akeredolu earlier in the day, due to prostate cancer. The deputy governor had earlier performed in acting capacity Mr Akeredolu returned to Germany for medical treatment and transmitted a letter to the state House of Assembly of his travel. Mr Akeredolu died in Germany where he went for treatment. Mr Stephen urged Aiyedatiwa to embark on speedy recovery of t...

The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde has declared three days of state mourning in honour of the late Rotimi Akeredolu, who was governor of Ondo State and Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum. The directive of Makinde, who is also the Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, is contained in a statement issued on Thursday in Ibadan by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Sulaimon Olanrewaju. Akeredolu died on Wednesday morning in Germany, where he had gone for medical treatment. Makinde said that all flags at public offices in Oyo state would be flown at half-mast for three days. He had, on Wednesday evening, alongside the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Gov. Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman of Kwara State, visited the Ibadan home of the late Akeredolu.

In the Synthesis of the Malabo Declaration on African Agriculture and Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme(CAADP,) the Heads of States and Government of the African Union met in June 2014, in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. The meeting saw the adoption of two decisions and two declarations which directly related to CAADP and Africa’s agricultural transformation and food security agenda in the 2015-2025 decade. The CAADP is Africa’s policy framework for agricultural transformation, wealth creation, food security and nutrition, economic growth and prosperity for all. The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) prioritised the integration of science-driven innovations into its programs and initiatives throughout Africa, supported by solution-focused research and de...

The remains of former Speaker of House of Representatives, Alhaji Ghali Na’Abba, has been laid to rest in Kano on Wednesday. Na’Abba’s corpse was flown into the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport from Abuja. The late speaker’s corpse was received by family members, friends and top government functionaries around 3 p.m. The corpse was then conveyed to the Emir’s palace for a funeral prayer, which was held at about 5:30 p.m. The prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Kano, Prof. Sani Zahradeen. Na’Abba’s corpse was buried at Dandolo ‎cemetery Goron-Dutse, Gwale Local Government Area of Kano state. ‎Na’Abba died in the early hours of Wednesday in Abuja after a protracted illness.‎ Some of the prominent personalities that attended the funeral prayer included the Vice Pres...

Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the Ondo State acting governor, is currently being sworn in as the substantive governor of the state today. This development followed the death of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu in Germany. As at the time of filling this report, Aiyedatiwa we gathered has arrived the Governor's office.

The Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu is dead. According to reports, Akeredolu died in Lagos on Wednesday. The Ondo governor died at the age of 67. It was learnt that he was managed by State House doctors up to his death because they could not fly him abroad. “They were looking for dialysis machines to be sent to his secret location in Lagos last week.” Recall that the ailing governor returned to Nigeria in September following a three-month medical leave in Germany. Recently, he went on another medical leave after being directed by President Bola Tinubu to hand over power to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa. His deputy, Aiyedatiwa, has been standing in as acting governor.

Ghali Umar Na’Abba, a former speaker of the house of representatives, is dead. He was aged 65. The 8th speaker of Nigeria’s green chamber died in Abuja on Wednesday morning. Na’Abba was born on September 27, 1958.

"... distributes 400 bags of rice to Christians for Christmas..." Member representing Uke/Karshi constituency at the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Hon Musa Saidu Gude, has paid West African Examination Council (WAEC) registration fees for over 100 students of his constituency. The Lawmaker also distributed 25 kg of 400 bags of rice to Christians of his constituency to enable them celebrate Christmas with smile in their faces. Hon Gude, the Chairman House Committee on NUDB disclosed this while disbursing the WAEC fees to the students today. He said that he has decided to pay the WAEC fees in order to reduce the burden on their parents and guardians. " I have given N36000 each to over 100 students of my constituency for WAEC registration, I earmarked N5million for that pur...

The Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese, Most Rev. Peter Nworie, has condemned the killing on Christmas Eve of three worshippers by suspected hoodlums during a Christmas vigil mass on Sunday night. Mr Nworie disclosed this at Monday’s Christmas service at Saint Theresa Cathedral Church, saying that the killing occurred at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Nkweagu, in Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi state at 11.30 p.m. on Sunday. The bishop described the incident as sad and disheartening and prayed for the repose of their souls. He explained that the suspected killers invaded the church while a priest was celebrating a vigil mass service and killed and injured many others. According to Mr Nworie, such an unfortunate act had never happened in a Church in the state...

One of Nigeria's oldest women, Madam Janet Obadofin, has passed on at age 102. She was at the weekend honoured with a high-level funeral party thrown by her Chicago, US-based granddaughter, Mrs Opeyemi Olajumoke Jackson, in concert with other family members. The funeral ceremony held at Ascension Hall of the Anglican Communion, Opebi, Lagos. Jackson, a business woman and socialite, described her grandmum who was married to her family patriarch, Obadofin, of Akunnu-Akoko in Ondo State as nice, caring, and God-fearing. "Mama was so nice, caring and God-fearing. She was always there for not only we members of her family but also for all those who needed one form of assistance or the other. "I can proudly say that these sterling qualities accounted for her long life in an er...

Nigerians were destined for hardship long before President Bola Tinubu assumed power on May 29, 2023, says the presidency, noting that Mr Tinubu is already taking measures to address the challenges brought about by the bold reforms introduced by his government in all sectors of the economy. The truth is that the new policies alone are not solely responsible for the economic problems we are facing today,” said the president’s special adviser on information and strategy. “We were destined for the tough and rough patch, where we are today because of the prevailing conditions before Tinubu took over on May 29.” Mr Onanuga stated this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja. As of June 2023, the budget deficit was N10.8 trillion. Actual debt service was 98.95 per cent of revenue, far highe...

The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) says it has re-arrested convicted Italian Floriana De-Stefani for failing to obey a court order upon her conviction by Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos. EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja. EFCC said the judge, on October 7, 2022, found Ms De-Stefani guilty of using false documents and counterfeit seals to confer on herself ownership of a property. It said the property belonged to a company, Waterside Properties Limited, an offence contrary to Section 366 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State. According to the EFCC, the judge, while delivering judgment, sentenced the convict to three years in prison and also ordered the release of the property on 14 A&B W...

The National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) says over 1.5 million citizens have received a N25,000 stipend under the conditional cash transfer (CCT) programme. Addressing a press conference in Abuja, Halima Shehu, NSIPA CEO, said the agency’s target is to reach 15 million citizens. The beneficiaries, she said, would receive the stipend for three months. Shehu said the programmes of Trader Moni, Farmers Moni and Market Moni under the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) have been relaunched, and disbursement will begin in January 2024. Under my watch, we have successfully kick-started the conditional cash transfer programme founded by the World Bank with a twenty thousand naira (N25,000) monthly stipend for three months. We are targeting 15 million ...

Fulani herdsmen (militia) attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria are a serious and ongoing issue in Nigeria resulting in numerous deaths, displacement and the destruction of properties and churches. In one of their numerous attacks, they attacked one Christian community of Obada Oko, Abeokuta, Ogun state, south-west Nigeria which led to protest in this community. The violence stems from a complex mix issues, including competition for land and perceived religious intolerance. This made protestors took to the streets of a Christian  community in Obada Oko, Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun state, south-west Nigeria. One protester said, "we are tired, please stop Fulani herdsmen from destroying our farm, killing our people and rapping our women." About 6 people have been ki...

By Gami Tadanyigbe Chief Dr. Amb Ebosetale David, Esq, has called on all Nigerians, especially Christians to imbibe the culture of Unity as they celebrate the Christmas for the development of the country. Aigbefoh, who made the call in his Christmas message to newsmen in Abuja on Sunday, said there was need to Love one another and be United to enable the country furge ahead. According to him, "We need to come together to celebrate this joyous season, let us reflect on the values that bind us as a community and as a nation. Christmas is a time of peace, a time to nurture unity, and a time to embrace hope for a brighter future. "In Tungan Maje Town, let us extend a hand of friendship to our neighbors and work together to build a community where every individual is valued and resp...

MinisterMinister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu says comprehensive plan to protect power facilities would soon be put in place to stop vandalism. Mrs Ndidi Mbah, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN'S) General Manager Public Affairs said in Abuja on Friday that the minister was reacting to the incident of vandalisation of the company's tower in Yobe State. Mbah said that TCN tower T372 around Katsaita Village in Yobe State were affected, bringing down the 330 Kilo Volt (KV) transmission tower which pulled down tower T373 along the same transmission line route on Thursday. She said the incident, which took place at about 9.18pm caused the failure of power supply to parts of the Yobe and Borno States. According to him, a comprehensive plan to protect power facilities would soon be ...

By Joan Nwagwu The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has blamed rise of unemployment on the ignorance of youths to acquire skills development. Malam Abubakar Fikpo, Director General of NDE said this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja. According to him, unemployment crisis in Nigeria is a function of the geometric rise in population and ignorance of available opportunities for skills acquisition and self employment by diverse unemployment groups in Nigeria. "This simply means that the mentality that if it is not a formal office work, one is not employed, has been a big challenge, although  in recent time, there has been a serious positive change. "As year 2023 winds down, it is worthy of note that NDE has done tremendously well in its job creation programmes. "In s...

By Perpetua Onuegbu The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Mr Ahmed Dangiwa has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Continental Civil and General Construction Company Limited and Ceezali Limited to build 100,000 housing units nationwide. Dangiwa while signing the the MoU in Abuja on Thursday said the housing units were to be delivered under a Strategic Public Private Partnership (PPP) as part of the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Program. According to him the terms of this partnership dictates that the Consortium will provide construction finance and build the housing units to completion based on agreed housing designs and prices. "The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development will facilitate provision of affordable mortgage loans to offtakers through...

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued operational guidelines on virtual assets service providers (VASPs) to all banks and other financial institutions (OFIs). Released on Friday, the guidelines are contained in a circular dated December 22, 2023, and signed by Haruna Mustapha, CBN’s director of the financial policy and regulation department. According to the CBN, VASPs means any entity that conducts exchange between virtual assets (cryptocurrencies) and fiat currencies, and transfers of virtual assets. The development signals a shift from CBN’s initial position which restricts crypto transactions. In February 2021, CBN issued a circular to deposit money banks (DMBs), non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs), and OFIs to close accounts of persons or entities involved in cr...