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In a bid to transform the city's commercial landscape while modernizing trade infrastructure in the state, Cross River government has entered into a pact with Mesotho Group, for the construction of an ultramodern International market, in Calabar. At the ceremony which was through a public-private partnership, the Commissioner for Commerce, Dr. Abigail Duke, applauded the group for emerging the preferred bidder after a rigorous selection process, assuring them of government’s full support. “By the grace of God Almighty, we have been able to sign the agreement for the construction of Calabar Ultramodern Market. "This has been a vision of this government since the governor, Prince Bassey Otu, assumed office,” Duke said. According to her, the market will provide modern facilit...

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) and National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has inaugurated a joint Committee for the development of implementation framework to use indigenous cartoon content for national values reorientation. The Director-General of NOA,  Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu inaugurated the Committee on Wednesday in Abuja. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the Committee members from NOA include, Malam Nuru Kobi, Director, Planning Research and Statistics, Mr William Dogo. Director Legal, Mr Bala Musa, Director Communication and Media. Also, from NOA is Oyem Blessing, Director Youth Engagement and Inclusion. Other members of the Committee from NBC are, Director Broadcast Policy and Research, Mrs Stella Erhunmwunsee and two others. Issa-Onilu said the...

The Federal Government on Wednesday arraigned former Minister of Aviation, Senator Stella Oduah, over an alleged N5bn fraud allegedly committed in 2014. Oduah, who was aviation minister under former President Goodluck Jonathan between 2011 and 2014 appeared before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama on five counts, including conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretences. She was arraigned by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation. In one of the counts, Oduah was accused of fraudulently obtaining N2.4bn through Broad Waters Resources from the Federal Ministry of Aviation, falsely claiming the funds were meant for technical supervision. The alleged fraud is said to have occurred in January 2014. Other counts allege that she similarly o...

Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool’s captain, has underlined that the situation with Mohamed Salah has not changed anything at the club. He stated that the players remain motivated and determined to win games. The Dutchman said this after helping the Reds defeat Inter Milan 1-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday night. Mohamed Salah, one of Liverpool’s greatest players of all time, was removed from the team by Arne Slot following his explosive interview on Saturday. Salah had complained about how he was being treated at the club he had sacrificed everything for, adding that his relationship with Anfield boss, Arne Slot had broken down. Speaking on the Egyptian’s uncertain future at the club, Van Dijk told reporters after the Reds victory over Inter Milan, “It’s difficult but it’s a...

United States Congressman, Riley Moore, on Wednesday shared accounts of violence against Christian communities in Benue State.Moore recounted what he said he was told in Benue during a visit to camps for internally displaced. Writing on X, Moore said, while in Benue, he met “dozens of Christians who were driven from their homes and subjected to horrific violence and now live in IDP camps.” According to the congressman, those he spoke with described attacks that left entire families dead and forced survivors to flee their villages. “They told harrowing stories that will remain with me for the rest of my life,” Moore wrote. He cited the case of one woman who, he said, “was forced to watch as they killed her husband and five children. She and her unborn child barely escaped.” ...

The Senate has approved the request by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deploy Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin on a peace mission.The deployment is aimed at restoring democratic order and stability.The approval followed the Senate’s consideration of the President’s request that was conserved by the Committee of the Whole during plenary.Tinubu had, in a letter read on the floor by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday, urged the Senate to approve the troop deployment to help restore governance following a recent coup attempt in Benin.The President had initially deployed members of the Nigerian Armed Forces on Sunday to assist in restoring democracy after a group of soldiers attempted a coup.In the letter titled, “Deployment of Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin for ...

Dr Musa Aliyu, SAN, Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has urged procurement officers to adopt “radical transparency” to curb the loss of billions of naira annually to graft.The ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Aliyu, made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at a one-day procurement engagement workshop for directors and heads of procurement in government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). The engagement aims to initiate and share ideas on how to checkmate a series of infractions identified during ICPC’s project tracking exercises across MDAs. The ICPC boss urged the officials to embrace transparency in the management of public contracts. He warned that without decisive action, public procurement, which accounts for 10‑25 per cent o...

The Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has assured residents of the Federal Capital Territory of a hitch free Christmas and New Year celebration.Commandant of FCT Command, Dr. Olusola Odumosu also warned criminals to steer clear of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI) during the yuletide season or be ready to face the full wrath of the law.Odumosu said the Command is working round the clock to ensure that residents of FCT enjoy a hitch-free celebration, as well as ensure protection of critical national assets and infrastructure from unscrupulous elements.He disclosed that his undercover and crack squad personnel are on 24/7 surveillance and patrol of dark spots across the metropolis to truncate activities of men of the underworld.He called...

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer The wife of former governor of Katsina State, Hajiya Hadiza Masari, has commended the establishment of Concerned Sisters Forum (CSF) aims to promote unity, empowerment and collaboration among women across the country. Masari gave the commendation at the inauguration and induction of members into the Forum on Saturday in Abuja. According to her, the Forum with the motto, ” Bonding for Progress” came at a time that it is needed the most. “I  believe that the CSF is aimed at bringing women together, and show concern, not only to ourselves, but to other women who are not members. “I have seen members coming from Sokoto, Kebbi, Kano, Katsina, Nasarawa, Niger, Kaduna and other states. This means the Forum is a serious one. “I believe that this is ...

"…as he spends over N8m on Sing Song Competition for 36 LCCs Women Groups, advocates unity, peace promotion in the society…" Member representing Nassarawa Eggon West Constiuency at the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abel Yakubu Bala has organized and sponsored Sing Song Competition for 36 Local Church Councils (LCCs) of ERCC, Mada Station, Nassarawa Eggon Local Government Area of the State. Abel disclosed this while declaring open the Sing Song Completion held at Regional Church Council (RCC) Headquarters, Mada Station, Nassarawa Eggon LGA of the State today Friday. It would be reported that the competition was titled "Rt. Hon. Abel Yakubu Bala SIng Song Competition for 36 LCCs of RCC Mada Station" Rt. Hon. Abel said that the essence of the Sing Song Competition wa...

By Chukwunenye Okpara, Esq. More than five decades after the Nigeria–Biafra war ended in 1970, the scars remain deeply etched in many communities across the former Eastern Region. While some areas recovered quickly from the devastation, others continue to live with the consequences of the conflict. One such community is Awlaw, located in Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State—a town that served as a major theatre of war. A Boundary Community Torn Apart Awlaw sits at a critical geographical intersection, sharing borders with communities in Enugu, Anambra and Abia States. Historically, Awlaw, Nawfija (now in Anambra State) and Umuaku (in Abia State) were regarded as brother communities. Before the war, movement across these towns was easy, facilitated by bridges that co...

By NAN The National Power Training Institute (NAPTIN) has expressed readiness to build a skilled and sustainable work force for the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). The Director-General of NAPTIN, Mr Ahmed Nagode said this in Abuja on Thursday at a one-day Stakeholders’ Engagement for the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry(NESI). The engagement, under the project “Enhancing Vocational Training Delivery for the Nigerian Power Sector has the theme’’ Building a Skilled and Sustainable Workforce for NESI Transformation’’ funded by AFD and the EU The event was organised by Consortium of Colenco Nigeria and AETS (France) Nagode said that the theme of the engagement, building a skilled and sustainable workforce for NESI transformation was very instructive. He said...

By Victor Okoye Nigeria has reached a major milestone in the growth of indigenous board games, marking new recognition across Africa. No fewer than seven Nigerian designers showcased inventive projects at the 2025 African Board Games Convention in Abuja, on Saturday, Nov. 29. The 9th AB Con gathered game developers, publishers and enthusiasts from across Africa eager to test new ideas. Kenechukwu Ogbuagu, Founder of AB Con, said the event had grown remarkably since its 2016 debut. He noted the rise from two creators to many more, reflecting Africa's increasing innovation in gaming. Ogbuagu said AB Con seeks to drive acceptance of African-made games among the younger generation. He added that Africa must rewrite its story beyond foreign titles like chess, scrabble ...

The Nigeria Police authorities have issued directives for the arrest of any officer found providing escort or protection for Very Important Persons (VIPs).The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, said such an assignment was illegal.Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, issued the warning on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, insisting that all officers previously attached to VIP protection duties have been fully withdrawn and enforcement is ongoing.“The enforcement is on. The IGP gave the directive that any police officer found escorting VIPs be arrested because, definitely, he is on illegal duty. Every one of them has been recalled. “The IGP ordered the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Special Protectio...

Members of the Osun State PDP caucus in the House of Representatives Wednesday rejected governorship primaries allegedly organised in Osun State.The members of Reps accused Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, of “political brigandage” and disowned the purported governorship primaries allegedly organised in Osun State under his influence.In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, the six PDP federal lawmakers, Rep. Bamidele Salam, Hon. Mudashiru Lukman Alani, Hon. Akanni Clement Ademola, Hon. Adewale Moruf Adebayo, Hon. Adetunji Abidemi Olusoji, and Hon. Oladebo Lanre Omoleye condemned the alleged primaries, describing them as fraudulent, destabilising and alien to the party’s procedures.The lawmakers alleged that the exercise was conducted with “thugs and political jobbers” allegedly importe...

Minister of Defence designate, Gen. Christopher Musa, said Wednesday that there should be no negotiation with or payment of ransom to terrorists in the country.General Musa stated these during his screening as minister by the Senate.He also said Nigeria’s fight against insecurity would remain ineffective until the country established a unified national database that captured every citizen and linked all security, banking and identity systems together.Musa’s screening happened on a day the House of Representatives sought open and transparent prosecution of all terrorism-related cases as an effective way of combating the high rate of violent crimes in Nigeria.This is even as the Senate moved to tighten Nigeria’s anti-kidnapping laws by pushing for the death penalty for kidnappers and an...

Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, on Wednesday promised support for Nigeria's anti-terrorism fight.Yup made the commitment when he met with Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar in Abuja where they also discussed bilateral relations and ongoing cooperation between the two countries.This was contained in a statement issued by the Chinese Embassy in Abuja.Dunhai said, “Through the joint efforts of both sides, the China-Nigeria comprehensive strategic partnership has entered the fast track.” He highlighted China’s commitment to international cooperation, referencing the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan, and noted that “China and Nigeria have always understood and supported each other on issues concerning each other’s core interests.” According to the statement, the ...

The Senate on Wednesday launched an investigation into the Safe School Initiative, expressing outrage that despite heavy funding, policy commitments and donor support over the past decade, schools remain vulnerable to attacks, mass kidnappings and fatal raids. Chairman of the ad-hoc committee, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, disclosed this at the inaugural sitting of the 18-member ad hoc committee set up to probe the initiative. The former Abia State governor noted that the upper chamber was determined to uncover why the programme failed to deliver on its core mandate of securing schools across the country. Kalu, who reeled out statistics showing that over 1,680 schoolchildren have been kidnapped and 180 educational facilities attacked since 2014, described the situation as “unacceptable...

A foremost Gombe politician and philanthropists, Rambi Ibrahim Ayala, has described the appointment of General Christopher Musa (rtd), Nigeria's Minister for Defence, as a square peg in a square hole. According to Rambi, a chieftain of the ruling APC in Gombe State, "President Tinubu deserves commendation for this strategic choice". He said, "at a time when Nigerians yearn for competence rather than political convenience, President Tinubu has demonstrated that leadership is not just about appointments but about aligning national needs with national assets. "This move reflects foresight and a willingness to entrust national defence to someone whose life’s work has been defending the nation. In choosing Musa, the president has shown that he values continuity, credibility, and coura...

The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, National Chairman of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), has disbursed N50 million to 250 persons with disabilities to support their small businesses. Tinubu said this during the RHI Economic Empowerment Programme marking the 2025 World Disability Day on Wednesday in Abuja. The 2025 celebration was themed, “Fostering Disability-Inclusive Social ies for Advancing Social Proogress”. She said the programme provides financial support to PWDs across the 36 states, FCT and disabled military and police veterans. Tinubu, represented by the Wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, said the gesture reflects RHI’s commitment to economic inclusion. She said the empowerment was designed to strengthen livelihoods and promote self-reliance amon...