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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency says it apprehended a 65-year-old man, Dauda Lamidi, for alleged possession of Indian hemp. This was disclosed in a statement on Monday. The suspect was arrested along the Ibadan-Iwo expressway by anti-narcotics agents, said the NDLEA command in Osun. statement said the suspect had some dried substance, suspected to be hemp, stored inside a two-litre gallon of engine oil. It added that the substance weighed about 1.550kg. According to NDLEA Osun command, the suspect is an ex-convict who was convicted of the same offence in 2019 and jailed for three years.NAN

Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, D-G, NBRDA The Director General of the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency(NBRDA), Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha said that the agency was against all cheap activisms over the implementation of the ephen Oronsaye's report. Mustapha was responding to questions from the press over the proposed merging of the National Biotechnology Development Agency(NABDA) and the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology(NACGRAB), into National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency(NBRDA). He said that the directive given by President Bola Tinubu for the implementation of the Oronsaye report has become one of the most discussed issues of national relevance in Nigeria. " The report has become so popular that even those who could barely...

The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), the leading philanthropy empowering young African entrepreneurs from all 54 African countries, has announced the successful entrepreneurs in its 10th selection for the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme. This was contained in a press statement issued to newsmen by the Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, Moyo Awotile. The statement said that over 50 business sectors from farming to technology represented and 20,000 entrepreneurs from 54 countries across Africa funded in 10 years – doubling original target. According to the statement, the new cohort brings to 20,000, the number of young African entrepreneurs who have received funding, mentoring, and capacity-building support from the Foundation, double the initial commitment. ...

President Bola Tinubu says he would dedicate his 72nd birthday to building a more stable, secure, prosperous and united Nigeria. Mr also asked friends and associates wishing to celebrate him to donate such money to charity organisations in his name instead of placing adverts in newspapers or radio. A statement by Bayo Onanuga, a presidential aide, said Mr Tinubu would mark his birthday on Friday, March 29. “During an auspicious occasion like this, it is customary for family members, friends, and associates to celebrate him in different ways. “President Tinubu, in deference to this challenging time, said he will not host any birthday event and does not want any of his associates and numerous well-wishers to organise any celebratory event on his behalf or in his name. “Presid...

Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene in the high cost of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in the country. Mr Oyintiloye, while speaking with journalists on Sunday in Osogbo, said the cost of cooking gas was becoming unbearable for the masses. He said that while the masses were struggling to look for what to eat, the means of cooking should not be made difficult for them. The APC chieftain said although the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, on February 22, announced that the federal government had asked LPG producers to stop exporting the commodity, the decision was yet to yield positive results. He said this might result from LPG producers secr...

Bandits have released all the 287 pupils and students abducted from Kuriga in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Northwest Nigeria. The schoolchildren, aged five to 18 were abducted on March 7 from Kuriga primary and secondary schools in the state. The Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani confirmed their release in a statement on Saturday. The statement did not explain how the students were released. The governor, however, commended President Bola Tinubu and the security forces for securing the release of the children. Since their abduction, we've worked round the clock with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu to get them released," Sani said.

By NAN The Protecting and Activating Communities (PACT) Against Tobacco, a youth-led initiative, has called on the Lagos State Government to provide smoke-free public places to ensure implementation of the Tobacco Control Act of 2015. This is contained in a statement in Lagos on Friday by Lagos Lead Officer of PACT, George Adjete, Adjete urged the government to take decisive action towards a smoke-free future by banning smoking in public spaces and putting up smoke-free signage in all public spaces. He said PACT gave the advice during the CleanAirNaija Stakeholders’ meeting organised in Lagos, saying the call was to strengthen the implementation of the tobacco act. The News Agency, (NAN) reports that the National Tobacco Control Act, 2015 regulates all aspects of tobacco co...

Operatives of the Gwa Gwa Division of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command have arrested a pregnant wife for faking her kidnap in connivance with her boyfriend to extort the sum of N2 million from her husband. The command disclosed this in a statement issued on its official X handle on Wednesday, titled, “ARREST OF A MARRIED WOMAN WHO FAKED HER OWN KIDNAP, SHARED THE RAMSON WITH HER BOYFRIEND”. The statement revealed that the wife, Rosemary Ubah, conspired with her boyfriend, Walter Ezeala, who also lives in the same street, to demand and receive the ransom paid by her husband, Chiedozie Ubah. The statement read, “On 11/03/2024 at about 19:40 hrs, one Chiedozie Ubah ‘m’ of Saburi II Dei-dei, Abuja, reported at Gwa Gwa division that his pregnant wife Rosemary Ubah left hom...

By Jessica Dogo The Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) has sensitised its members of staff on energy laws governing the commission’s mandate to ensure effective service delivery. Its Director-General, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, said this on Wednesday at a two-day awareness workshop organised for management staff of the commission by Jedidah Global Synergy Nigeria Ltd., in Abuja. Abdullahi said it was imperative for the management to know the pivotal role the commission played in shaping energy landscape of Nigeria. He said that having a comprehensive grasp of these laws would ensure effective compliance and alignment with the national energy objectives.“This workshop serves as a platform to enhance awareness and understanding of the laws governing ECN’s mandate. “It is imperati...

The Borno chairman of the Civilian Joint Task Force, Ba’Lawan Ja’afar, says their main priority is to ensure total clearance of the remnants of Boko Haram and other insurgents. Mr Ja’afar told journalists in Maiduguri on Thursday that the group would continue to support security forces in ending the insurgency and restoring peace. The CJTF is a volunteer security group consisting of youths with knowledge of local terrain who are aiding military operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists. The CJTF chairman said they had received tremendous support from Gov. Babagana Zulum. He pointed out that the governor had released N255 million to the CJTF and bags of rice for each member and hunter. “The governor specifically directed that members are to be given N30,000 each as ...

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission re-arraigned ex-Governor Murtala Nyako ‎and his son, Abdulaziz, before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on Thursday over alleged N29 billion fraud. They were re-arraigned on 37 counts of money laundering allegedly perpetrated while Mr Nyako was governor of Adamawa. Others arraigned with them are Zulkifik Abba and Abubakar Aliyu. The firms allegedly used in laundering the funds—Blue Opal Limited, Sebore Farms & Extension Limited, Pagoda Fortunes Limited, Tower Assets Management Limited, and Crust Energy Limited—were also joined as the fifth to the ninth defendants, respectively. The re-arraignment followed the elevation of the former trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, to the Court of Appeal. When the matter was calle...

Unveiling of a crescent named after the governor of Akwa Ibom, Eno Umo in Abuja on Thursday By Philomina Attah The Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), on Thursday in Abuja, unveiled a crescent named after the Governor of Akwa Ibom, Eno Umo The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the crescent, located in the Idu industrial area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), was named after Umo in recognition of his track record as governor. The naming of the crescent is seen as a fitting tribute to the governor’s achievements and a testament to his contribution to the advancement of the area. Speaking during the unveiling of the crescent, the Chairman of AMAC, Christopher Maikalangu, described the governor as a “son of the soil” whose achievements in road construction, agric...

By Constance Athekame The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) says it is collaborating with the Niger Government on ''Light Up Nigerto improve electricity supply to residents of state The management of AEDC in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday said that this was disclosed when the Gov. Mohammed Bago of Niger received the AEDC delegation led by it's Chief Operations Officer, Eng. Chijioke Okwuokenye at the Government House, Minna. Bago described the initiative as a welcome development adding that Niger host four hydro dams and they contribute about 60 per cent electricity in Nigeria. According to him, power supply is key to development especially as the state is moving into an industrialisation and processing zone. The governor said that the "Light Up Niger" projec...

The Governing Council of the Institute of Corporate Administration has conferred Fellowship award to Alliance Hospital’s Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr Christopher Otabor, for his contribution in Public Health Administration in Nigeria. The Director and Chief Learning Officer of the institute, Dr Godswill Onyekwere, presented the award to the CMD in Abuja on Wednesday. Onyekwere said that the award was in recognition, appreciation of the commitment beyond the call to duty, with public spiritedness, and visionary approach to administrative matters put forward by the CMD in the health sector. He said that the award was also bestowed to Otabor on his upwardly mobile to health issues, and as outstanding professional in the health sector. “This offer qualified you as a senior mem...

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa has called for concerted efforts and the support of the military and other security agencies to bring the killers of the 16 soldiers in Okuama community in Delta State to justice. Mr Diri, who condemned the killings, also expressed his condolences and those of the Bayelsa government to the families of the slain military personnel, the wider Armed Forces family and the Army in particular. This is contained in a statement issued to journalists in Yenagoa on Wednesday by his chief press secretary, Daniel Alabrah. He said that no effort should be spared to bring the perpetrators to book. Mr Diri said Bayelsa was a proud host of the headquarters of the joint services, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), the Central Naval Command and the Nigerian Air Force (N...

The police command in Lagos State arrested 590 suspects at different black spots from February 13 to March 13. The command’s public relations officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest to journalists in Lagos on Wednesday. Mr Hundeyin said that the suspects were arrested during raids by area commands, divisions and tactical teams, including the Rapid Response Squad. He said that the raid was ordered by the state commissioner of police, Adegoke Fayoade, following complaints from the residents. No fewer than 540 people were earlier arrested by the command during a special raid at different black spots from December 2023 to February 13, 2024.NAN

The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has declined to grant an application by Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, directing Governor Godwin Obaseki, the House of Assembly and others in his case to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit. What They Found on the House Tribesman, You’re Gonna Be ShockedWhat They Found on the House Tribesman, You’re Gonna Be ShockedMetabon | Sponsoredcredit iconThe development occurred after Justice James Omotosho refused to grant the oral application made by Mr Shaibu’s lawyer, Oladoyin Awoyale, to the effect. In a motion ex parte marked FHC/ABJ/CS/321/2024, the embattled deputy governor had sued the Edo government, governor, house of assembly, and speaker as the first to fourth defendants. The suit al...