Wednesday, April 2

News

Olu of Warri tasks Transition Town Warri on community revitalization
News

Olu of Warri tasks Transition Town Warri on community revitalization

The Olu of Warri Kingdom His Royal Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III charged the Transition Town Warri initiative on community revitalization by using the project to promoting Itsekiri /Iwere development agenda using local resources. The revered traditional monarch who gave the charge when the team sought his blessings said the Transition town Warri team should engage with communities, listening to their challenges and supporting their efforts and using their local resources towards development while also preserving Itsekiri rich culture and history. The Transition town Warri initiative began its training by first giving an overview on the concept and then explaining the its purpose, vision and the goals. The current environmental, social, and economic challenges facing communities wer...
Tinubu reconstitutes NNPC Board, appoints New Chairman, Group CEO
News

Tinubu reconstitutes NNPC Board, appoints New Chairman, Group CEO

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a sweeping change in the leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited board, removing the chairman, Chief Pius Akinyelure and the group chief executive officer, Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari.President Tinubu removed all other board members appointed with Akinyelure and Kyari in November 2023.The new 11-man board has Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari as the Group CEO and Ahmadu Musa Kida as non-executive chairman.Adedapo Segun, who replaced Umaru Isa Ajiya as the chief financial officer last November, has been appointed to the new board by President Tinubu.Six board members, non-executive directors, represent the country’s geopolitical zones. They are Bello Rabiu, North West, Yusuf Usman, North East, and Babs Omotowa, a former managing d...
Tinubu Reshuffles NNPC Leadership: Kyari Out, New Board Members In
News

Tinubu Reshuffles NNPC Leadership: Kyari Out, New Board Members In

President Bola Tinubu has sacked the board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) including its Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari and board chairman Pius Akinyelure. The sack was announced by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga in an early Wednesday morning statement posted on X. “President Tinubu removed all other board members appointed with Akinyelure and Kyari in November 2023,” Mr Onanuga wrote. Mr Kyari was first appointed NNPC chief by former President Muhammadu Buhari but was reappointed in 2023 by President Tinubu. According to Wednesday’s statement, the president also appointed a new board including a new GCEO. “The new 11-man board has Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari as the Group CEO and Ahmadu Musa Kida as non-executive chairman,” Mr Onanuga w...
Breaking: Edo Gubernatorial Election Tribunal Judgement for Wednesday 2 leaked
News

Breaking: Edo Gubernatorial Election Tribunal Judgement for Wednesday 2 leaked

There is paipable fear and disbelief in Benin City the capital of Edo State as documents alleged to be the judgement of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal have surfaced online. The documents surfaced barely 24 hours after the panel summoned all parties involved in the case. The leaked documents has sparked confusion and debate over the tribunal’s final ruling The three-member panel, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, had on March 3 reserved its judgement on the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, challenging the result of the September 21, 2024, governorship election. On Tuesday, the tribunal directed both parties to appear the next day for the verdict. But copies of what seemed to be the judgement circulated...
Group Demands EFCC, ICPC Probe Into PTAD Over N25 Billion Arrears Of Defunct NEPA/PHCN Pensioners
News

Group Demands EFCC, ICPC Probe Into PTAD Over N25 Billion Arrears Of Defunct NEPA/PHCN Pensioners

Following the failure of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) to pay the N25 billion arrears owed to pensioners of the defunct National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), now Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), a human rights group, The Democratic and Human Rights Centre (TDHRC), has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the agency over the delay in payment. In a press release, TDHRC emphasized the need for EFCC and ICPC to probe PTAD for its inability to settle the N25 billion arrears owed to NEPA/PHCN pensioners. "We were informed by these pensioners that Samuel Agbogun, the former Executive Director of the Nigerian Electricity Liability M...
BREAKING: Sultan announces sighting of Shawwal crescent, declares Sunday as Eid day
News

BREAKING: Sultan announces sighting of Shawwal crescent, declares Sunday as Eid day

The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar II, has announced the sighting of Shawwal crescent, marking the end of Ramadan fasting. The Sultan said they received reports of sighting from Borno, Zazzau, Dutse, Maru, among other places within the country. “My dear brothers and sisters in Islam, today 29th day of March, 2025 AD, equivalent to 29th day of Ramadan 1446 After the Hijra of our Most Noble Leader Prophet Muhammad (SAW) brings us to the end of 1446 Ramadan fast. Today 29th day of Ramadan, we received reports from various Muslim leaders and organisations such as Shehu of Borno, Emir of Dutse, Emir of Argungu, Emir of Maru, Emir of Daura and Emir of Zazzau as well as JBWIS in Jos of the confirmation of the sighting of the new moon of Shawwal 1446 after the Hijra of our Most Noble L...
Group Urges Tinubu To Direct PTAD To Settle NEPA/PHCN Pension Arrears
News

Group Urges Tinubu To Direct PTAD To Settle NEPA/PHCN Pension Arrears

A human rights group, The Democratic and Human Rights Centre (TDHRC), has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene by directing the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) to immediately pay the outstanding pension arrears of former employees of the defunct National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), now known as the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), which have been pending since 2017. The group, in a press release signed by Comrade Aderemi Adebisi, stated that PTAD's refusal to pay former employees of NEPA/PHCN accumulated pension arrears since 2017 has not only caused hardship to them but has also led to the deaths of many members. "These people have served this country meritoriously and do not deserve to be treated as second-class citizens. The refus...
IMF Appoints Elumelu To Advisory Council On Entrepreneur And Growth
News

IMF Appoints Elumelu To Advisory Council On Entrepreneur And Growth

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has appointed Heirs Holdings Founder and Group Chair, Tony Elumelu, to its Advisory Council on Entrepreneurship and Growth, convened by IMF Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva. Mr Elumelu made the appointment known on his verified twitter handle @TonyOElumelu on Friday. At the inaugural meeting of the Advisory Council on Wednesday, the IMF Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva, told the guests, that the Council brings together a group of leading thinkers and practitioners in business, finance, academia, and policymaking to share their views and experiences on how macroeconomic and financial policies can provide entrepreneurs, and the private sector. Elumelu is Africa’s leading advocate of entrepreneurship and he has used his Foundation ...
NSITF seeks media collaboration to boost workers’ social safety
News

NSITF seeks media collaboration to boost workers’ social safety

By Joan Nwagwu The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) on Wednesday sought the collaboration of the media in promoting social safety for Nigerian workers. Mr Olawaseun Faleye, the Managing Director of NSITF, made the call during a briefing with members of the Labour Correspondents Association of Nigeria (LACAN). The briefing also marked the inauguration of a mass advocacy and sensitisation campaign in Abuja. “It is my hope that, as we embark on this journey, members of LACAN will be key partners in advocacy, progress, and the commitment to advancing social safety for Nigerian workers. “The engagement with the media is crucial as NSITF enters a new phase of transformation,” Faleye said. Faleye acknowledged the importance of the media, particularly labour correspon...
INEC Notifies Natasha Of Recall Petition, Begins Verification Process
News

INEC Notifies Natasha Of Recall Petition, Begins Verification Process

THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it had notified the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, of a recall petition initiated by registered voters in her district. The notification, dated March 26, was issued by the INEC’s Secretary, Rose Oriaran Anthony. In the letter addressed to the senator and copied to the presiding officer of the Senate, INEC confirmed receiving a petition from her constituents seeking her recall from the National Assembly. Pursuant to Section 69 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), I write to notify you of the receipt of a petition from representatives of registered voters in your constituency seeking your recall from the Senate. “This notification is in line with the provis...
NASS, UK Govt pledge to strengthen framework to guide public institutions
News

NASS, UK Govt pledge to strengthen framework to guide public institutions

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer  The National Assembly and the UK Government have promised to support the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu  on Policy and Coordination, Hajia Hadiza Usman, in implementing the new Draft National Policy Development and Management Framework.They made the pledges at a Stakeholders’ Validation Session on the Draft National Policy Development and Management Framework on Tuesday in Abuja.Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in his remarks said that the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly stands not as a mere observer, but as a secretary, guiding the principles of sound governance, holding the executive to account, and forging a legislative foundation upon which policies and programmes of government must rest.Akpabio was represented at the event by the Deputy...
First Lady donates food items to vulnerable groups in Delta
News

First Lady donates food items to vulnerable groups in Delta

By Joan Nwagwu The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu has donated food items under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Social Investment Programme, worth millions of naira to vulnerable groups in Delta. Mrs Tinubu made the donation during a symbolic presentation of the food items to the vulnerable groups in Asaba on Tuesday. The first lady, represented by Hajiya Nana Shettima, Wife of the Vice-President said the presentation was to formally handover the essential food commodities to Delta State through wife of the state governor and RHI’s State Coordinator for onward distribution to the vulnerable groups. “The food outreach scheme began on March 8, 2024 at the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) to provide vulnerable households with food items to support their families. “So far, we h...
Senate Confirms Sylvester Nwakuche As NCoS CG
News

Senate Confirms Sylvester Nwakuche As NCoS CG

The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Sylvester Nwakuche as the comptroller-general (CG) of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS). The approval followed the presentation of a report by the senate committee on interior, chaired by Adams Oshiomhole, senator for Edo north, who moved the motion for Nwakuche’s confirmation at Tuesday’s plenary. Presenting the committee’s findings, Oshimohole said the nominee was “thoroughly” screened on March 12. as one with an impeccable character, full of exposure, experience, intellect, energy, drive and worthy of the nomination,” Oshiomhole said. “The man is not only qualified in terms of academic qualification, he has been involved in several command positions and has benefitted from training and retraining. The committee found the ...
Kogi Jailbreak: NCoS Recaptures 5 Fleeing Inmates
News

Kogi Jailbreak: NCoS Recaptures 5 Fleeing Inmates

The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has recaptured five of the 12 inmates who escaped from the medium-security custodial centre in Koton Karfe, Kogi. This is contained in a statement by Abubakar Umar, the service’s public relations officer (SPRO), on Monday. The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, March 24. During the incident, some awaiting trial inmates in a section of the facility allegedly manipulated the padlocks, leading to the escape of 12 inmates. Mr Umar stated that upon receiving reports of the incident, the acting controller-general of NCoS, Sylvester Nwakuche, in collaboration with heads of sister security agencies, including the senior special adviser to the governor of Kogi, immediately mobilised to the facility. He said personnel were also dep...
Oyo’s Debt Dilemma: Alao Criticizes Makinde’s Borrowing Policies
News

Oyo’s Debt Dilemma: Alao Criticizes Makinde’s Borrowing Policies

An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Oyo State and former gubernatorial aspirant, Engineer Oyedele Hakeem Alao (Allow Alao), has raised concerns over Governor Seyi Makinde’s frequent loan requests, warning that the growing debt burden could jeopardize the future of the state. Alao in a statement by his Media Office expressed his apprehensions in the light of the significant increase in Oyo State’s debt profile under the administration of Governor Makinde. According to him, since the removal of petroleum subsidy by the present administration of President Bola Tinubu, the money accruing to the states has tripled, stating that there is nothing on ground to justify that Governor Makinde has spent the windfall justifiably needless taking humongous loan. The Asiwaju of Iroko...
NDLEA: Indian Lady Intercepted With 72 Parcels Of Heroin At Kano Airport
News

NDLEA: Indian Lady Intercepted With 72 Parcels Of Heroin At Kano Airport

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a 42-year-old Indian lady at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, with 72 parcels of heroin. A statement by NDLEA’s director of media and advocacy, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday in Abuja said the prohibited substances were factory-sealed in wafer wraps and packaged as chocolates. Mr Babafemi said the class A drug consignment weighing 11 kilogrammes was recovered from her luggage after a thorough search. He said this followed credible intelligence during an inward clearance of Qatar Airways flight QR1431 from Bangkok, Thailand, via Vietnam and Doha at the arrival hall of the Kano airport on Friday, March 14. Mr Babafemi said the arrest of the suspect signified a growing attempt by drug trafficking ...
Jonathan: Rivers Emergency Rule Is Clear Abuse Of Power
News

Jonathan: Rivers Emergency Rule Is Clear Abuse Of Power

Former President Goodluck Jonathan condemned the state of emergency declaration in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu, blaming it as a clear abuse of power by the executive, legislature, and judiciary. He made this assertion at the annual colloquium organised by the Haske Satumari Foundation in Abuja on Saturday. The former president said several people had contacted him for comments over the political crisis shortly after Mr Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the oil-rich state and suspended the governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy and state assembly members for six months. Mr Jonathan, who said it was unusual for former presidents to comment on the policies and actions of successors to avoid tension, however, likened the development to an Indian proverb and accused p...
PCRI holds Maiden Matriculation, Convocation/Investiture of Fellowship Award Ceremony in Abuja
News

PCRI holds Maiden Matriculation, Convocation/Investiture of Fellowship Award Ceremony in Abuja

By NAN  The Psychotherapeutic and Counseling Research Institute (PCRI) in Nigeria, on Saturday, March 22, 2025 held it's Maiden Matriculation, Convocation and Investiture of Fellowship Award Ceremony at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Abuja, with the theme: "Mental Health and Psychosocial Support as a Security Strategy to Nation Building." Dr. Mohammed Audu, the Registrar/Secretary of the Institute, during the ceremony commended the graduating students for their resilience and commitment to the noble profession, while urging them to carry the torch of knowledge, compassion and advocacy for mental health awareness and psychotherapeutic excellence. Audu also, welcomed the matriculated students to a transformative journey, saying that the institution will chal...
Minister, VON DG, others advocate for child empowerment, gender equality
News

Minister, VON DG, others advocate for child empowerment, gender equality

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer  The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaam Suleiman among other stakeholders have called on parents to empower their children and promote gender equality in the country. They made this call during a stage play entitled “People of the Sun”, performed by students of Beautiful Beginning Academy(BBA), Abuja, on Saturday.The play, based on a true-life story, highlights the struggle for identity, power, and survival while addressing the pressing issue of gender inequality. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the performance serves as a compelling narrative of resilience, justice, and the urgent need to combat gender-based discrimination. It presents men and women not just as equals but as essential forces shaping society and protecting the planet...
Trump revokes security clearance for Harris, Clinton and others
News

Trump revokes security clearance for Harris, Clinton and others

US President Donald Trump has revoked security clearances from his previously defeated Democratic election rivals, Kamala Harris and Hillary Clinton, as well as a number of other top former officials. The move comes after Trump said in February he was revoking security clearance for his predecessor Joe Biden. He confirmed that move in the latest announcement, adding that he was also revoking the security clearance of "any other member" of the Biden family."I have determined that it is no longer in the national interest for the following individuals to access classified information," Trump's memorandum read.Former US presidents and top security officials usually keep their security clearance as a courtesy.Former Secretary of State Antony Blinken and former Republican lawmakers Liz Chene...