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By Bridget Tikyaa Ikyado The Benue State Government on Friday said a total of 34 solid minerals out of the 44 in the country are found in the State. The State Chairman, Mineral Resources and Environment Management Committee (MIREMCO), Barr Fidelis Mnyim disclosed this at a press conference in Makurdi. Mnyim who is also the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order said the State was hugely blessed with over 85 percent of the country's mineral deposits. He said the committee was also mandated to ensure that mineral deposits in the State were fully developed. He explained that the committee which was saddled with the responsibility of advising the the Minister of Solid Minerals on issues related in the sector would also serve as a link between the Federal...

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo, his son-in-law, as the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA). Ojo, a former member of the house of representatives, is married to Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, a daughter of the president. Ajuri Ngelale, the presidential spokesperson, said in a statement on Thursday that Tinubu also appointed Mathias Terwase Byuan as the executive director (housing finance & accounts); Umar Dankane Abdullahi as executive director (business development); Oluremi Omowaiye as executive director (project implementation) and Ezekiel Nya-Etok as executive director (business development and portfolios), as members of the management of FHA. Ngelale said the president appointed Shehu Usman Osidi as the CEO of the Federal...

Traders are gnashing their teeth as the Enugu government begins the enforcement of the collection of N200 daily tax. On Thursday, tax collectors went around markets in the capital city and sealed defaulters’ shops. In 2023, the Enugu government imposed a N200 daily tax on traders and hawkers and gave an option for annual, monthly or quarterly payment. A trader at Mbanugo Motor Parts Market, Ifedi Okafor, whose shop was sealed for non-compliance, told NAN that the N200 tax rate was too high. “Everybody knows that things are hard now. They are asking us to pay N5,500 monthly; it is not something that we cannot pay, but the economic situation of the country today is affecting everybody,’’ Mr Ifedi said. Another motor parts dealer, Chikezie Onuorah, said it was wrong of the gov...

The House of Representatives has initiated steps to review the amount to be paid by prospective pilgrims for the 2024 Hajj. The resolution followed the adoption of a motion by Umar Shehu-Ajilo (PDP-Kaduna) during plenary in Abuja on Thursday. Mr Shehu-Ajilo argued that Hajj remains an important pillar of the Islamic religion that entails visits to the holy mosques and other historical sites, among other significant rituals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. However, the lawmakers expressed concern about the N5 million amount fixed for the 2024 Hajj, describing it as very expensive for many prospective pilgrims in the middle- and low-income categories. “Given the prevailing economic reality, it has become necessary to review the processes and procedures adopted by the National Haj...

The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), has solicited the support of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to create awareness among the public about its community relations activities. Alhaji Magaji Ibrahim, National Chairman of the committee, made the appeal when he led other officials of the committee on a courtesy visit to the Managing Director of NAN, Malam Ali Mohammed Ali, on Thursday in Abuja. Ibrahim said the PCRC delegation was in NAN to register its presence and solicit the agency's support to enable it reach out to members of the public effectively. "We are doing a lot. We were established in 1984 and we are in all the 36 States of the federation; we are in all the nooks and crannies of the country and the FCT. "We are doing a lot to support and complement the ...

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare says it will scale-up access to Hormonal Intrauterine Device (HIUD), a reversible contraceptive device to promote expanded contraceptive method of family planning. Dr Stella Nwosu, Director, Family Health Department in the ministry, made this known in Abuja at the close out and dissemination workshop of the completion of the Catalytic Opportunity Fund HIUD project. Nwosu, represented by Alex Ugochukwu, Head of Logistics and Services, Family Planning Unit in the ministry, said the project has encouraged lots of families to embrace the HIUD contraceptive method. ``This project has done a lot in repositioning family planning in the country, most especially in two states- Bauchi and Sokoto, especially HIUD; it is for the client to cho...

By Joan Nwagwu The Federal Government says anyone engaging an apprentice below the age limit of 12 will be charged with child labour. Mrs Nkiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of State for Labour and Employment said this at a roadshow sensitisation rally in Kugbo, Furniture market, on Thursday in Abuja. Represented by Alh. Mohammed Tolani, Director Skill Development and Certification, the minister said government had begun the enforcement of 12 years minimum age for individuals to engage in apprenticeship scheme in Nigeria. “This breaches the United Nation and International Labour Organisation (ILO) convention and standards. “The policy has been clearly spelt out under Labour law cap 198 section 49-53 LFN.,”she said. Onyejeocha said the ministry had commenced enforcement of the l...

The Asagba of Asaba, Delta State, Obi Joseph Edozien, is dead. The monarch was said to have joined his ancestors on Wednesday. He was aged 99. The news of the monarch’s demise filtered in on Thursday with residents of the state capital describing his death as a great loss to the kingdom. A palace source, who is one of the monarch’s top aides, confirmed his death to our correspondent. The source familiar with the workings of the palace, however, said there would be no public statement on the development until after seven days. Recall that on January 9, 2024, 1000 trees were planted in his honour as part of the activities lined up for the celebration of Asagba’s 100 birthday anniversary.

The Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Malam Jibrin Ndace, says the aim of partnership with Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) is to promote and propagate positive narrative from the sector. Ndace stated this when he paid a courtesy visit to his SMEDAN counterpart, Mr Charles Odii, on Tuesdays in Abuja. Ndace said his team had particular interest in what the SMEDAN boss and his team had been doing in the Agency. “VON is older than 1990; it was established as external arms of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria in 1960 and later became independent in 1990. “I am determine to build on the past legacies of my predecessors and founding fathers of the organisation. We broadcast in eight languages which include English, French, Arabic, S...

By Joan Nwagwu The Food Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB), has pickets the headquarters of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) over ban on alcoholic beverages in sachets and pet bottles. FOBTOB is an affiliate under the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria. It would be recalled NAFDAC had put a ban on the production and sales of alcoholic products in sachets and pet bottles below 200ml.That the ban was to protect minors. The agency also said the alcohol level of PET bottles and sachets was thirty percent, compared to four to eight percent in beer. Mr Oyibo Jimoh, National President of FOBTOB, described the action as ‘economic sabotage’. According to him, it is unjust that the government will take such a drastic ...

By Joan Nwagwu The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the Federal Government to device ways of reviewing minimum wage law annually due to the inflationary trend in the country. Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President said this the 2nd National Labour Adjudication and Arbitration Forum, organised by the National Employers Consultative Association (NECA) on Tuesday in Abuja. The theme of the forum is, :Strengthening Tripartitism and Social Dialogue (including alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms) for a Sustainable Industrial Relations System in Nigeria. Ajaero said that the government should have a rethink as the five year cycle was not favourable to the Nigerian workers due impact of the high cost of living effecting workers salaries. According to him, no matter what amou...

By Joan Nwagwu The Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) has called on the employers, employees and the Federal Government to consistently engage in social dialogue to improve Industrial harmony in the country. Mr Taiwo Adeniyi, President of NECA said this at the 2nd National Labour Adjudication and Arbitration Forum on Tuesday in Abuja. The theme of the forum is, ”Strengthening Tripartitism and Social Dialogue (including alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms) for a Sustainable Industrial Relations System in Nigeria”. Adeniyi noted that the country had witnessed several Labour upheavals in recent times. According to him, we firmly believe that maintaining a healthy employer-employee relationship is vital for fostering a thriving economy and creating a stable...

An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, on Monday, sentenced a 53-year-old rubber trader, Kenneth Mba, to life imprisonment for defiling a friend’s 12-year-old daughter. Justice Rahman Oshodi, in his judgement, held that the prosecution proved the charge of defilement against the convict beyond a reasonable doubt. The judge handed down the verdict after finding Mr Mba guilty of the offence of defilement of a minor. Mr Oshodi said the convict’s confessional statement that he defiled the survivor in his room three times and gave her N200 each time after sex was corroborated with the survivor’s testimony. He, however, said his oral evidence to deflate the charge did not hold water. Mr Oshodi referred to the convict as a pathological liar whose testimony was an af...

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested four brothers and 30 others for alleged internet fraud. EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja. He gave the names of the siblings as Chukwuebuka Egbo, Chibuike Egbo, Francis Egbo and Victor Egbo. According to him, the other suspects include Great Eze, Ani Callistus, Ekpe Chigbo, Eze Eric, Nnaemeka Gabriel, George Tochukwu, Uche Divine and Chiamelie Ede. Others are Enenta Ebube, Treasurer Osinachi, Ejiakor Chidiebere, Kingsley Olisa, Ugwuanyi Ekpere, Uzor Godson, Tochukwu Firminus, Ebuka Comas, Okwudili John, Samuel Otti, Agada Olema, Odoh Nnabuike, “The other suspects include Okeke Harrison, Oriasotie Meshack, Ekperechi Ebube, Ugwu Sebastian, Eli Ogbonna, Martins Ugwu, A...

The Football team and winners of 2009 National Sports Festival (NSF), have decried nonpayment and fulfilment of promises made to them by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and organisers of the tournament. The Spokesperson of the 2009 and winners of the Football team, Mr Joel Tadanyigbe who disclosed this in a press statement issued to newsmen in Abuja, described the situation as worrisome.  "We the football team and winners of 2009 National Sports Festival were promised a plot of land in Abuja and till now the promise has not been fulfilled. "We filled FORMS for the Lands and later we hered that the Sports Director is trying to claim the lands for some group of people and that we are not included. "Those that took 2nd position of the FCT Football Team ha...

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on security given the spate of insecurity in the country. Comrade Audu Amba, National President of the NUT, made the call at the union's 6th Annual Solemn Assembly on Monday in Abuja. According to him, Nigeria has experienced unprecedented security challenges such as Boko Haram Terrorist attacks, Banditry, Herders and Farmers clashes, vandalism, militancy and kidnappings in recent times. "There was a report from the Joint Security Forces of Nigeria that 24,816 victims were killed while 15,597 were abducted since the beginning of the kidnapping to date. "It is, therefore, my humble plea that the Federal Government declares a state of Emergency as far as the security situatio...

President Bola Tinubu has described the death of Herbert Wigwe, his family members and Abimbola Ogunbanjo as a rude shock. Presidential aide Ajuri Ngelale disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, saying Mr Tinubu had received official confirmation of the incident. Mr Wigwe was the chief executive officer of Access Holdings Plc. and founder of HOW Foundation, while Mr Ogunbanjo was the former group chairman of the NigeriaExchange Group Plc. Ngelale said Mr Tinubu mourned the Nigerian business leaders and described their passing as “an overwhelming tragedy that is shocking beyond comprehension. “The president commiserates with the Wigwe and Ogunbanjo families, the business community, and all those impacted by this harrowing incident. “President Tinubu prays for the p...

The Kano state government, on Sunday, said it had made adequate security arrangements to ensure hitch-free activities during the visit by the first lady, Oluremi Tinubu, to Kano on Monday. The director-general of media and publicity to the state governor, Sanusi Bature, announced this while speaking with reporters in Kano. The first lady is expected in Kano to inaugurate the Faculty of Law Building named after her at the Maryam Abacha University, Kano. He said that the state government, alongside the police, had drafted a compressive security network on how to provide the required security at each of the places that the first lady would visit. The government, therefore, appealed to residents of the state to conduct themselves peacefully and come out en masse to receive the fir...