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By Thomas Sylvanus Ayeyilo Let’s establish a fundamental truth: bitter realities must be spoken, and hard conversations must be had. But what is the reality and Hope of the indigenous people of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)? Are we victims of systemic neglect? Have we been robbed in broad daylight, fed with pretentious words of hope, while our expectations for a better future remain unfulfilled? Across all six area councils in the Abuja, I have repeatedly heard the same complaints from our people most especially the young people—the original inhabitants of the FCT. We speak of how our communities have been sidelined, how our leadership continues to fail us, and how the federal government has persistently denied us our rights.  The nine original tribes of the FCT have f...

Abducted National President of the Afenifere Youth Council, Eniola Olajuni, has been released after 12 days in the kidnappers’ den. The National Secretary of the Youths Council, Biodun Aderohunmu, confirmed his release to our correspondent in a short WhatsApp message on Saturday. “He has been released”, the message reads. Olajuni was abducted on Monday, February 17, 2025, on his way to Abuja for a meeting. The kidnappers had demanded N100m and two tricycles as ransom for his release. Recall that on Wednesday, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, ordered the deployment of the Intelligence Response Team to secure the safe release of the Afenifere Youth Leader after a video went viral where Olajuni, who was at gun point, pleaded for Nigerians to come to his aid a...

By Gami Tadanyigbe The World Agritourism Organization (WAO), has honored Evangelist Prof. C.J Osim, with an award of Legacy Street Drive for his significant contributions in Food Security and Agricultural Innovation in the country. The Award was also powered by International Tourist Choice LTD on the Occasion of Unveiling 2025 Theme of World Agritourism Day Celebration by the Presidency, Secretary to the Government of the Federation represented by Office of the Permanent Secretary Political Affairs. Some of the eminent guests present at the ceremony are Chief Dr Amb Ebosetale David Aigbefoh Esq, quite exceptional lawyer and businessman, Alih Izuchukwu Barnabas, Chairman/CEO of Aliban De Great Industry NIG Ltd among other great guests. Among other receipent of the award were, t...

By Collins Yakubu-HammerThe Arewa Grassroot Leaders Assembly, has commended President Bola Tinubu for the implementation of several projects across the country that have direct impact on the lives of the people.The President General of the Assembly, Mr Onogu Monday gave the commendation at a media conference on Friday in Abuja.According to him, there is a need for collective efforts to address the challenges facing the Northern Region of the country.“We acknowledge President Tinubu’s efforts to prioritise funding for agriculture and education, as well as maintaining good relations with Nigeria’s neighbour.“The prioritisation of the Sokoto-Badagry Highway and the Trans-Saharan Highway, and measures to fast-track the completion of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, are commendable.“However, we urg...

By Jacinta Nwachukwu The Federal Government on Friday moved about 40 households of displaced persons/refugees to a resettlement city in Keffi for decent accommodation and better living. Speaking at the occasion, Alhaji Tijani Ahmed, the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), said that no fewer than 300 individuals would be benefiting from the allocation. Ahmed said that the selection criteria for beneficiaries were based on voluntary participation and profiling, ensuring that those who chose to stay were allocated houses. He also said that plans were in place to reintegrate IDPs and refugees into the immediate community, adding that the organisation had a trade skill centre to ensure their livelihood. He f...

Odegbola Traditional Global Services, in collaboration with the Osemeji Ibadan Foundation, has announced the 2025 edition of the Osemeji Obamoro Festival. This annual event is dedicated to celebrating and promoting the rich cultural heritage of Yorubaland, with a specific focus on the historical and spiritual significance of Osemeji in the founding of Ibadan. The festival which commenced on February 23rd, 2025, will feature various activities, including a public lecture scheduled for March 5th, 2025, at the Ibadan House, Oke-Aremo, Ibadan. According to a press release by Ifalere Odegbemi Odegbola II, Àràbà Olu Ìṣẹ̀ṣe of Ibadan land,and host of the event, this year’s festival aims to deepen understanding of Osemeji's role in Yoruba history and also Ibadan in particular. The lec...

By Mariam Okpe - Abuja. Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas has assured that the House  would consider all proposals and recommendations made by stakeholders in the final report on the four tax reform bills. The speaker disclosed this while declaring open, a three-day public hearing on the tax reforms bills held at the National Assembly, Complex, Abuja.In his presentation at the public hearing at the National Assembly yesterday, the Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Adewale Adeniyi said the service had identified what it called conflict in the bills with some provisions of the Nigerian Customs Act 2023. It would be recalled that President Bola had on October 3, 2024, transmitted four tax bills to the National Assembly for accelerated cons...

Mudashiru Obasa, the impeached speaker of the Lagos state house of assembly, rode into the assembly complex on Thursday afternoon — a retinue of security aides in tow. The development comes moments after incumbent speaker Mojisola Meranda’s security detail was withdrawn. Mudashiru Obasa, the impeached speaker of the Lagos state house of assembly, rode into the assembly complex on Thursday afternoon — a retinue of security aides in tow. The development comes moments after incumbent speaker Mojisola Meranda’s security detail was withdrawn. They have restored all Obasa’s security aides as of this morning,” a source said. They have restored all Obasa’s security aides as of this morning,” a source said. Obasa was removed as speaker on January 13 while out of the country. Mera...

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer Prof. Emmanuel Dandaura, the Acting President of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR),  has called on public relation professionals to ensure regular training to aid in addressing challenges of reputation. Dandaura made the call on Wednesday at the NIPR Roundtable  themed “Navigating Reputation challenges in the Digital Era” in Abuja . The roundtable  was organised by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter of the NIPR. Dandaura said the instrumentality of training was imperative to effective management of reputation at different sphere and sectors of the society. “Training in reputation is very important,  particularly at this time in Nigeria. If we have ten challenges as a nation, ten of those problems can be solve...

….acknowledges cabinet members support in steering the ship of the State. Niger State Governor, His Excellency Mohammed Umaru Bago has sworn-in the new members of the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission just as he has acknowledged the support of his cabinet for their loyalty and dedication in steering the affairs of the state. Presiding over the swearing in ceremony Senior Magistrate Court 7, Halima Yusuf administered oath of office and allegiance on the Chairman and members of the State Electoral Body. Farmer Umaru Bago congratulated the members of the Electoral Commission explaining that they were carefully chosen as elder statesmen because of their reputation and character in work as most of them have distinguished themselves in Niger State at all levels. He said,t...

The National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) has released the results of its November/December 2024 certificate examinations, with 67.56% of candidates obtaining five credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics. Dr.. Nnasia Asanga, the Acting Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of NABTEB, announced that a total of 44,226 candidates sat for the examination and 29,880 candidates met the benchmark for academic and career progression. “Out of the 44,226 candidates who sat for the NBC/ANBC and NTC/ANTC examinations, a total of 29,880 obtained five credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics, representing 67.56% "In addition, 42,431 candidates, which accounts for 95.94%, secured five credits and above, whether or not they included En...

Turkish Süper Lig leaders Galatasaray said they will "initiate criminal proceedings" and report Fenerbahçe manager Jose Mourinho to FIFA and UEFA over what they call "racist statements." The move comes after the two sides played to a 0-0 draw in a tense league match in Istanbul on Monday night. Mourinho had welcomed the appointment of a non-Turkish referee, with Slovenian Slavko Vinčić chosen to officiate. After the match, Mourinho made a point of praising the referee, highlighting the fact he was not from Turkey. "The performance of the referee was a top performance," Mourinho told his postmatch news conference. "Anyone, not just from this country but also abroad, watched a big football match. I think the man responsible for that was the referee. Galatasaray said they will...

Niger State Governor, farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago announced this while speaking to newsmen at the Government House in Minna, the State capital. The governor, who noted that petty traders are being exploited with tax, said that Local Government Council Chairmen and councilors should take note and ensure that such practices stop with immediate effect. He disclosed that the state has a centralized tax system that has exempted all hawkers and petty traders. "According to the farmer Governor, “We have observed with dismay how petty traders and hawkers are being exploited with multiple taxes”. “As a government, we have resolved that henceforth, no trader, no petty trader, should be taxed.” “Hawkers and petty traders are tax-free in Niger State. Anybody found taxing them will be de...

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulumhas flagged off the distribution of palliatives provided by the House of Representatives member for Marte, Monguno, and Nganzai Constituency, Engr. Bukar Talba. About 3,000 constituents benefited from the distribution, with each receiving food items and cash donations. Zulum, who was represented at the occasion by the Secretary to the Borno State Government, Alhaji Bukar Tijjani, commended the lawmaker for providing succour to his constituents, many of whom have been devastated by over a decade of insurgency. Each of the three local government areas had 1,000 beneficiaries, with each person receiving a bag of rice, a bag of maize grain, and ₦20,000 in cash. In his address, Engr. Bukar Talba recalled that in his two years in office, he has co...

President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence in the ability of the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership to build the nation, and significantly contribute to Africa's growth. Tinubu said this while addressing the APC Caucus meeting held at the Conference Center of the State House, Abuja. The president reaffirmed his commitment to the Renewed Hope Manifesto of the APC with emphasis that the strategic repositioning of the ruling party requires his administration to build on recorded successes and project. He said that his administration remains intensely focused on its goals underscoring the importance of achieving food sovereignty and not just food security to better reposition the country as the nation with the capacity to reposition the continent. "We can steer the fut...

By Gami Tadanyigbe  The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has called on the National Assembly to do all within its capacity to protect the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, from being abrogated under the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024. The union said it was deeply concerned about TETFund because the agency remained a positive testament to its constructive engagements with Nigerian governments since 1992. insisted that it was its considered view that abrogating the TETFund Act 2011, by design or default, would be a great disservice not just to education but also to Nigeria as a nation. The association’s position was contained in a presentation by its president, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, on the second day of the public hearing organised by the National Assembly on Tax ...

By Marian Okpe. The chairman Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Musa Sani has promised to do justice to all the contributions made by stakeholders on Tuesday, He made this known during his remark after listening to the contributions of over fifty stakeholders invited to participate at the public hearing on National Tax Reform Bills deliberated upon by the senate committee on Finance at the National Assembly complex. The chairman expressed deep appreciations to every one who contributed to the deliberations on the Tax Reform Bill, said that their insights, perspective's and recommendations have enriched the discussions, and he said ," it will go a long way in shaping the policies with regards to the Tax Reform, as the Committee will critically examine the aspects of the Tax syste...

Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, Ondo state Governor has approved the appointment of Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG). In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, the appointment was announced shortly after Governor Aiyedatiwa resumed work in his office, just minutes after being sworn in as the 7th democratically elected Governor of Ondo State on Monday. Until his appointment as SSG, Dr. Fasoranti, who hails from Akure South Local Government Area, served as the Chairman of the Ondo State Hospitals Management Board. Meanwhile, the Governor has also approved the reappointment of Dr. Kayode Ajulo, SAN, as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, as well as Mrs. Omowunmi Isaac as the Commissioner ...

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer Mr Abubakar Madaki, Chairman of Karu Local Government Area in Nasarawa State, has called for vigilance and peaceful coexistence among people of different tribes and religions in Nigeria to drive the country forward.He made the call at the 2025 Annual Dinner and Award Night of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Nyanya-Mararaba District Society, held on Saturday in Abuja.Madaki emphasised that peace was vital for development across all sectors.“It is important for us to live in peace, tolerate one another, and be law-abiding citizens,” he said.He further urged vigilance, advising attendees to report any suspicious activities to security agencies to maintain a peaceful atmosphere.“We are one, regardless of our tribal or religious differences...