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By Constance Athekame The Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu has attributed the incessant grid collapses to vandalism and lack of maintenance in past. Adelabu said this in Abuja on Wednesday while receiving the report of the committee set up to look into the frequent grid collapses. It will be recalled that the minister had constituted a six-member Committee to advise the Federal Government on necessary solutions to make the national grid robust and reliable. The minister said that most of the incidents of grid collapses in 2024 was as a result of vandalism of power installations and theft of power equipment.c According to him, lack of good maintenance of the grid in the past and a number of other external factors was also adding to the collapses. He said that the Fed...

By Joan Nwagwu The First Lady Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, says there is the need for concerted efforts towards achieving food security in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Tinubu said this at the commissioning of the Abuja East-West Knowledge Transfer(EWS-KT) Learning Site (Vegetable Demonstration Garden) at the University of Abuja on Wednesday in Abuja. The programme was organised by the university in collaboration with EWS-KT and the Embassy of the Netherlands. EWS-KT is a non-profot corporate foundation, aimed at improving production and business skills of smallholder farmers. The first lady represented by the Wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, commended the university for the Initiative. According to her, this initiative is not only uniqu...

Donald Trump has been elected to return to the White House as the 47th United States president. His victory has been met by international congratulations but is likely to add further uncertainty to a turbulent geopolitical situation. Results showed Trump beating Vice President Kamala Harris in a race far less tight than expected, as he triumphed in key battleground states. Victory in Wisconsin, following earlier triumphs in Georgia, North Carolina and Pennsylvania saw the former president clear the 270 Electoral College votes required to clinch the White House in the November 5 election. That refusal sparked a violent insurrection at the US Capitol, and Trump was also convicted of felony charges and survived two assassination attempts. However, his campaign, which has seen ...

Taoreed Lagbaja, the chief army staff (COAS), is dead. Lagbaja died after battling an undisclosed ailment. He was 56 years of age. He was appointed COAS by President Bola Tinubu on June 19, 2023. On October 20, the army dismissed rumours that Lagbaja had passed on, adding that the army chief was undergoing medical treatment abroad. On October 30, Tinubu appointed Olufemi Oluyede as the acting COAS. On November 5, the president decorated Oluyede with a new rank of lieutenant-general. In a statement on November 6, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on information and strategy to the president, said Lagbaja “passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness”. Born on February 28, 1968, Lt. General Lagbaja was appointed Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023, by Pr...

President Bola Tinubu on Monday directed the immediate release of all minors who were arrested over their alleged participation in August’s #EndBadGovernance protests. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced this to State House correspondents during an emergency briefing at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja. Idris said, “The President has ordered the immediate release of all the minors who have been arrested by the Nigeria Police without prejudice to whatever legal processes they are undergoing. He has directed that they be released immediately. “Secondly, the President has also directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to immediately attend to the welfare of these minors, and to ensure their smooth reunion with their pare...

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested Ifeanyi Okowa, the former governor of Delta state. It was gathered that Okowa was arrested over the alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion. The amount is said to be part of the 13 percent derivation fund earmarked for oil-producing states. According to insiders involved in the investigation, the funds were allegedly diverted between 2015 and 2023. It was learned that Okowa was arrested on Monday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, when he reported to the EFCC office following an invitation over the matter. The former governor is also being probed over another N40 billion allegedly used to acquire shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas — a facility being developed by UTM Offshore Limite...

By NAN The TY Buratai Literary Initiative (TYBLI) has awarded N2.5m to the winners of the 2024 Young Adult Literature competition. The event which took place at the Tukur Buratai Research Centre in Gora, Abuja-Keffi Express-Way attracted dignitaries from the military, literary and Art sectors of the country. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that while six zonal winners got the sum of N250,000 each, the overall winner, Olatunbosun got N1m. In his remarks, the Chairman of TYBLI, retired Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, said the Initiative was born out of his passion  for literature,  recalling when he was a member of drama, debate and literacy clubs in school. “I have so many poems then; those were interesting parts as we were growing as young men. You may not necess...

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer The Peace (As-Salaam) Magazine has called on Muslim women across the country to continue to wear Hijab as it does not reduce them to any form of stereotype. The Director of the Magazine, Dr Mumin Alao, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the ‘1st Peace Magazine Honour Roll Ceremony on Tuesday in Abuja. Alao said the essence of the ceremony was to celebrate intelligent brains under the veils. “The significance of this events is to recognise excellence among Muslim women. For a long time, we know there was issues concerning the wearing of Hijab, discouraging them from wearing it. “But in the last few years, there were a lot of education and mobilisation, that, at the end, the court decided that wearing Hijab is a rig...

The Federal Commissioner, NCFRMI, Alhaji Tijani Ahmed with some IDPs during the inauguration of Cormode Cancer Champion Club on Thursday in Abuja. By Jacinta Nwachukwu The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) in collaboration with the Cormode Cancer Foundation, on Thursday, inaugurated the Cormode Cancer Champion Club at the Durumi IDPs camp in Abuja. The Federal Commissioner, NCFRMI, Alhaji Tijani Ahmed, at the programme, stressed the need to educate children about cancer and its risk factors. Ahmed said the formation of the Champion Club among IDPs was to provide knowledge on cancer, its implications, and methods of combating it, with a focus on early education and mitigation against future complications. He said plans were ...

The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) Limited and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have agreed to partner to tackle fraudulent practices and enforce discipline. Mr Adesanya Adejokun, Technical Adviser (Media) to the Managing Director of NDPHC, Engr. Jennifer Adighije said this in a statement in Abuja on Thursday. Adejokun said that the agreement was reached during a courtesy visit by the Managing Director of NDPHC Engr. Jennifer Adighije and her management to the Executive Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede in Abuja on Wednesday, He said that the visit was to assist NDPHC to effectively deliver on its mandate to Nigerians. The NDPHC boss told her host that she and her team were visiting EFCC first to familiarise themselves with the agency and then seek ...

By NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA  The  National Orientation Agency (NOA) has sensitised no few than 300 secondary school student in Suleija, Niger on National Value Charter and the National Anthen to enahance nationalism. The Director-Generral of NOA,  Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu during his address on Wednesday in Suleija said moral decadence and other social vices have negative effects on the individual, family, society and nation at large. "Socal vices like drug abuse, rape, cultism, indecent dressing and other forms of moral decadence usually affect students and their studies negatively, hence destroy their future. "We are here to support you to concentrate on your education. Cultism is dangerous. If you are a cultist, then your family and friends are not safe. Don indul...

By Victor Okoye Dr. Samira Buhari, the founder, Daurama Foundation has been confered with the Sir 0bafemi Awolowo Platinum Leadership Award for Philanthropy. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the prestigious honour, confered by the Coalition of Progressive Nigerian Youth Groups, recognises Dr Buhari's sustained commitment to social development and empowerment of women and young people throughout Nigeria. The award presentation, held on Monday, 28 October 2024, in Abuja, with distinguished members of the Coalition, supporters, and notable figures to celebrate Dr. Buhari's impactful contributions. Through her leadership, the DauramaFoundation has launched numerous initiatives aimed at providing educational resources, mentorship, and economic opportunities that foster...

The Nigerian Ports Authority has said 15 vessels are currently discharging various products at Lagos ports. The NPA, in its “Daily Shipping Position” on Wednesday, said three of the vessels would discharge general cargoes, while two other vessels would discharge containers carrying different goods, fresh fish and bulk sugar each. It added that “the remaining five vessels will discharge ethanol, bulk gypsum, bulk clinker, feed corn and petrol. Six vessels are expected to berth at the Lagos ports with crude oil, petrol, containers and aviation fuel. The six expected vessels will berth at ENL Consortium Terminals, Apapa Bulk Terminal among other terminals in Lagos.” NPA said that three vessels were waiting to berth with bulk urea, container and aviation fuel.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS)The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS)The Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Services, Kemi Nandap, has said that the service has deployed technology to safeguard the nation’s land borders. Ms Nandap stated this when she paid a courtesy visit to Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau on Wednesday in Jos. The comptroller, who said that Nigerian borders were safer than before, added that the service had adopted some innovative initiatives aimed at ensuring the safety of all land borders and Nigerians. “We are doing everything possible to ensure our borders are safe because the safety of Nigerians is our priority. ‘’We are leveraging technology, innovations and other laudable initiatives, and I can assure you that our borders are now safer th...

Ministerial nominee Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu has called for an increased commitment to peace and unity in Nigeria. She made this appeal on Wednesday during her ministerial screening before the Senate in plenary. The former Nigerian Ambassador to Spain said, “I am here because I believe that if we are able to come together sincerely to commit to serving this nation, focusing on ensuring that we have peace, then the sky is the limit for this country.” She emphasised the importance of diplomatic and cultural engagement as essential keys to national growth. Reflecting on her tenure as ambassador, she noted her efforts to represent Nigeria on various international platforms, particularly in fostering stronger ties between Nigeria and Spain. Ms Ojukwu, who is nominated as the minis...

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, has appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS). Oluyede will act in the position pending the return of the indisposed substantive Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja. Until his appointment, Oluyede served as the 56th Commander of the elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, based in Jaji, Kaduna. The 56-year-old Oluyede and Lagbaja were coursemates and members of the 39th Regular Course. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1992, effective from 1987. He rose to Major-General in September 2020. Oluyede has held many commands since his commissioning as an officer. He was Platoon Commander and adjutant at 65 Battalion, Company Commande...

The Police in Gombe has arraigned a 31 year old man, Jonathan James, for stabbing to death, his aunt, Ramatu Musa, 65 years old. The Gombe State Command's Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Buhari Abdullahi, said the incident occurred on 21st October, 2024 in Bagadaza quarters of Gombe metropolis. He explained that the Police received a distressed call on the same day at about 0135hrs that the suspect had fatally stabbed his Aunty, one Ramatu Musa with a sharp knife and as a result, she sustained serious injury on her chest. According to the PPRO, On receiving the information, a patrol team from Pantami Division led by ASP Girema Yahaya rushed to the scene and evacuated the victim to the Specialist Hospital Gombe where she was examine and certified dead on arrival by a medical ...

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Wednesday, said his administration was investigating allegations of connivance by some contractors and asphalt producers to shortchange the state. Governor Oborevwori disclosed this when he played host to the leadership of Isoko Church Leaders' Forum, led by the Anglican Bishop of Oleh Diocese, Rt. Rev'd John Aruakpor, at Government House, Asaba. He reiterated his resolve to ensure that people of the state get value for every project executed by his administration. He said: "As a government, we are doing our best and I want to assure you that we will not tolerate sub standard jobs in all these jobs we have awarded. "We want to make sure that all the jobs are up to standard; we are aware that some contractors have started negot...

The Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) under the Chairmanship of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State have resolved to scale up efforts to address youths restiveness following the end bad governance protest that shook most parts of the country in August. They resolved to particularly invest in education, skills development, job creation and other pathways for the youths to channel their energy into productive ventures in their various States. This was part of a Communiqué issued Monday evening at the end of a joint meeting of the Governors and Northern Traditional Rulers Council held in Kaduna. The brief meeting which also had in attendance the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, deliberated extensively on the bedeviling security challenges in the regi...