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19Sep By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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U.S., Nigeria Declare Commitment To Press Freedom

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris and the U.S. ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, have declared their commitment to press freedom in Nigeria and Africa. They said this when Mr Mills and his team visited Idris on Wednesday in Abuja. “I am here today to have a very good conversation about many things we are doing together. We have trade relations, and our cooperation is very strong. We want to make sure we fulfill them. “We also know that the minister is doing a good job to ensure press freedom in this country. It’s about journalists’ rights. We talked about how we can work together and strengthen freedom of the press in Nigeria, Africa and the world,” Mr Mills said. According to him, many democratic countries face disinformation, misinforma...

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19Sep By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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Edo: INEC Deploys 5,000 BVAS, 18,000 Ad hoc Workers

The Independent National Electoral Commission is expected to commence the deployment of sensitive materials today ahead of this weekend governorship election in Edo state. NewsSpecng gathered that no fewer than 5,000 Bimodal Voter Accreditation Systems would be deployed for the poll. Other Sensitive materials, including ballot papers and result sheets, arrived in Edo State on Wednesday via Benin Airport and were transported to secure storage facilities under tight security, NewsSpecng also gathered. No fewer than 2.2million residents of the state are expected to troop out to vote in a new governor as the tenure of Godwin Obaseki comes to an end. The campiagn trainof all the 17 contenders for the gover or's seat is expected to come to.a halt today, 24 hours before the election....

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19Sep By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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UN General Assembly demands Israel ends occupation of Palestinian territories

The UN General Assembly has adopted a Palestinian-drafted, non-binding resolution demanding Israel end "its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory" within 12 months. There were 124 votes in favour and 14 against, including Israel, along with 43 abstentions. As a non-member observer state, Palestine could not vote. The resolution is based on a July advisory opinion from the UN's highest court that said Israel was occupying the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip against international law. The Palestinian ambassador called the vote a turning point “in our struggle for freedom and justice”. But his Israeli counterpart denounced it as “diplomatic terrorism”. Although the General Assembly’s resolutions are not binding, they carry symbolic and political wei...

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19Sep By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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Minor shakeup as IGP orders redeployment of CPs Rivers, Delta, FCT

There was a minor shakeup in the police on Thursday, NewsSpecng learnt. The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun in what was described as strategically emplace a Police Force well efficient for effective policing ordered the immediate redeployment of the Commissioners of Police in Rivers, Delta and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Egbetokun order covers the redeployment of the CP Rivers Command, CP Olatunji Disu as the new CP FCT; CP Delta Command, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi as the new CP Rivers Command and CP FCT, CP Peter Opara as the new CP Delta State. A statement on Thursday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi explained: “Following the approval of the Police Service Commission, the Inspector-General of Police has also deployed four (4) C...

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19Sep By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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NSITF reiterates quality services delivery on Employees Compensation Scheme

SERVICOM National Coordinator, Nnenna Akajemeli, in a warm handshake with the MD/CE NSITF, Oluwaseun Faleye during the advocacy visit by SERVICOM to the NSITF, today. By Joan Nwagwu The new management of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund(NSITF) has reiterated that it would ensure quality services delivery on the Employees Compensation Scheme(ECS). Mr Oluwaseun Faleye, Managing Director of the NSITF said this when the National Coordinator of the Service Compact With All Nigerians ( SERVICOM) Mrs Nnenna Akajemeli led a delegation on an advocacy visit to the Fund on Wednesday in Abuja. Faleye said that the current leadership has already initiated reforms aimed at enhancing service delivery while increasing transparency in the operations of the Fund. According to him, the...

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18Sep By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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I Have Nothing To Hide, Says Yahaya Bello, As He honours EFCC Invitation

A former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has honoured an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, his media office confirmed on Wednesday. A statement signed by the Director of the Yahaya Bello Media Office, Ohiare Michael, Bello’s decision to appear before the anti-graft agency comes after consultations with his family, legal team, and political associates. The statement was titled “Former Governor Yahaya Bello honours EFCC’s invitation” Bello was said to have been accompanied to the EFCC headquarters by several high-profile Nigerians. The former governor has been in a running battle with the anti-graft agency over alleged financial impropriety while he was the number one citizen of Kogi. He and three others are facing 19 counts related to money la...

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18Sep By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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FAAC: FG, States, LGAs Shared N1.2trn In August — Down By N155bn

The federation account allocation committee (FAAC) says the three tiers of government shared a total of N1.203 trillion in August 2024 from a gross total of N2.278 trillion. According to a statement on Tuesday by Mohammed Manga, director of information and public relations at ministry of finance, FAAC announced the allocation at its September meeting chaired by Wale Edun, minister of finance. The amount shared dropped by N155 billion compared to the N1.35 trillion allocated in July. “From the stated amount inclusive of gross statutory revenue, value added tax (VAT), electronic money transfer levy (EMTL) and exchange difference (ED), the federal government received N374.925 billion, the states received N422.861 billion, the local government councils got N306.533 billion, while the...

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18Sep By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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Pager Explosions In Lebanon ‘Extremely Concerning’-UN

After allegedly coordinated explosions of hundreds of telecommunications devices in Lebanon, the United Nations has warned of the risk of an escalation between Israel and Hezbollah. “These developments are extremely concerning, especially given that this is taking place within a context that is extremely volatile,” spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said in New York. He said the UN is monitoring the situation. “I think we cannot underscore enough the risks of escalation in Lebanon and the region,” Mr Dujarric added. In the explosions of pagers across several regions but mostly in Hezbollah-controlled areas, some 2,800 people were injured and nine people were killed. Among the injured were numerous members of the pro-Iranian Shiite organization Hezbollah. Hezbollah blamed Israel...

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18Sep By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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Edo Election: 2.2 Million Registered Voters Have Collected PVCs-INEC

Ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Edo, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says 2,249,780 registered voters have collected their permanent voter cards (PVCs). This represents 85.57 per cent of the 2,629,025 total registered voters in the state. Sam Olumekun, INEC national commissioner and chairman of the information and voter education committee disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday. Mr Olumekun said 379,245 PVCs, representing 14.43 per cent, were uncollected as of Monday, September 16, at the end of the extended period for PVC collection in the state. He said that, consequently, INEC was making available data on PVC collection on a polling unit basis in Edo ahead of the governorship election on Saturday. “There are 4,519 polling units in the ...

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16Sep By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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NNPC Ltd Releases Estimated Pump Prices of PMS from Dangote Refinery, Based on September 2024 Pricing

The NNPC Ltd has released estimated prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as Petrol (obtained from the Dangote Refinery) in its retail stations across the country. The NNPC Ltd also wishes to state that, in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), PMS prices are not set by Government, but negotiated directly between parties on an arms length. The NNPC Ltd can confirm that it is paying Dangote Refinery in USD for September 2024 PMS offtake, as Naira transactions will only commence on October 1st, 2024. The NNPC Ltd assures that if the quoted pricing is disputed, it will be grateful for any discount from the Dangote Refinery, which will be passed on 100% to the general public. Attached to this statement are the estimated pump prices of PMS (obtain...

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16Sep By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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News Engineering congratulates Etsu Nupe @72

The NEWS Engineering Ltd. has congratulated its Board Chairman and Etsu of Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, as he clocks 72 years and mark 21 years as Etsu Nupe. The company's Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Josephine Nwaeze, in a statement said this when the Board of Directors and Management of the company visited Abubakar in Niger. "Congratulations to His Royal Highness, Alh. Yahaya Abubakar, on your 72nd birthday and 21st anniversary on the throne as the 13th Etsu Nupe! "We are honored to celebrate this significant milestone with you, a true leader and champion of progress. Your dedication to the Etsu kingdom and the people of Niger State is truly inspiring. "As the Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers and the Board Chairman of NEWS Eng...

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15Sep By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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Breaking News: Omoyele Sowore Detained, Passport Confiscated At Airport By Immigration Officials

The publisher of SaharaReporters, Omoyele Sowore who arrived Nigeria from United States of America few few hours ago has been detained and Passport confiscated by Immigration officials. Sowore who made this known via his verified social media accounts said that upon his arrival to Nigeria, he was detained and had his passport confiscated at the airport. "DETAINED BY THE @NigerianImmigration, my International passport confiscated." "I had just arrived in Nigeria from the USA to the MMIA in Lagos; upon reaching Nigerian Immigration, my passport was seized, and they told me They had orders to detain me." "It is part of the broader clampdown by the fascist @officialAbat regime on dissent and their fear of the upcoming #FearlessINOctober. In case this becomes a prolonged and protra...

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14Sep By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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ECOWAS Standby Force Will Stabilise Democracy In West Africa- Group

The Abuja School of Social and Political Thought has said establishing an ECOWAS Standby Force will have a pragmatic impact on the sub-region’s development.Director of the School, Dr Sam Amadi, stated this at a policy dialogue with the theme, “Peace and Democracy in West Africa: The Need for an Effective Standby Force’’ on Friday in Abuja. The proposed standby force being formed by ECOWAS is to consist of military, police and civilian components to address security threats within the sub-region. Mr Amadi said that the proposal by the ECOWAS Heads of State for the force was aimed at reinforcing a stable environment for democracy to continue to thrive in West Africa. He said. “For us, the standby force or dealing with the state of the coup in West Africa has a pragmatic impact for ...

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14Sep By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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ASUU Decries Alleged Victimisation Of Members In Universities

The Kano zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU-Kano Zone) has decried the alleged victimisation of its members in some universities in the zone.The zonal coordinator, Prof. Abdulkadir Muhammad, in a statement in Kaduna on Friday, described the development as a “gross violation” of university rules and regulations. Mr Muhammad said: “ASUU-Kano Zone is deeply disillusioned and saddened by the incessant victimisation, intimidation, harassment and dehumanisation of its members in a number of public universities. “This was largely because of their insistence on due process and adherence to the rules and regulations governing the operation of the Nigerian university system. “The victimisation is mainly perpetrated silently by the university administrations and, at time...

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14Sep By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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FG seeks HOSTCOM, stakeholders’ support to curb oil pipeline vandalism

The Federal Government has urged Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM) for effective synergy with government and relevant stakeholders to curb incessant vandalism of crude oil-bearing pipelines. Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), said this when a delegation of the HOSTCOM paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja on Friday. He said that such efforts to curb pipeline sabotage would save lives, secure communities and protect the environment. According to him, without your effort, by working together in oneness oil and gas sector will not grow. "I am urging the communities, other relevant stakeholders to join hands and support the government in ensuring that we fight against pipeline vandalisation. "The land and water are being...

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14Sep By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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Mental health: Speaker of Ambassadorial Assembly wants Nigeria to set pace for Africa

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer Dr Emmanuel Egejurum, Speaker of the AU Agenda 2063 Ambassadorial Assembly said Nigeria should set the pace in addressing mental health and other development frameworks for other African countries. Egejurum made the call at the Assembly’s Strategic Meeting of the Principal Officers and Heads of Various Committees on Thursday in Abuja. According to him, the Assembly is set to participate in the celebration of World Mental Health Day in October. “Nigeria has this burden of carrying Afrtica. Nigeria is a pace setter, we have a way of shouldering Africa. Nigeria need to continue to set the pace for other Afrcian countries. “Agenda 2063 started in 2013 with a 50 years projection of the Africa of our dreams; Africa without borders that provide equal op...

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12Sep By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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NUT trains 100 members, calls for adequate education funding

By Jacinta Nwachukwu The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has stressed the need for the government to adequately fund the country’s educational system for effective service delivery. The union trained about 100 state union chairmen and secretaries in capacity building to prepare and equip them to advance the implementation of the global response project themed “Go Public! Fund Education” at different levels. Speaking at the training workshop on Thursday in Abuja, the National President of NUT, Comrade Audu Amba, said the government should invest in education and the teaching profession. Amba noted that teachers’ wellbeing was central to the realisation of the right to quality education for all. He also highlighted the shortage of teachers in public primary schools and the pr...

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12Sep By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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DSS Removes Late Abacha’s Family Members From ‘Watchlist’

While some Nigerians, including the founder of SaharaReporters, Omoyele Sowore have been placed on watchlist by the Department of State Services (DSS), members of late Nigeria's military head of State, General Sanni Abacha have been removed from the earlier Watchlist of the agency. The DSS in a memo seen by our correspondent was signed by Adeola D. Alli instructed operatives to give free passage to members of Abacha family. The Abacha family members include: FATIMA (GUMSU) SANI ABACHA, MAHMOUD SANI ABACHA, MUSTAPHA SANI ABACHA, SADIQ SANI ABACHA and ZAINAB SANI ABACHA. Late General Sanni Abacha would be recalled was Nigeria's head of state who ruled the country with an iron-fist from 1993 following a palace coup d'état until his sudden death in 1998. General Sanni Abacha, his ...

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12Sep By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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Reps To Address Non-Implementation Of Presidential Directive To Remove Varsities From IPPIS

The House of Representatives has vowed to take necessary steps to address the challenge arising from the non-implementation of presidential directives to remove universities and other tertiary institutions from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System. On July 12, the Federal Executive Council directed that the nation’s university system be expeditiously removed from the IPPIS platform. The announcement followed the federal government’s prior approval of the initiative. The new directive reportedly formed part of resolutions reached at the council meeting conducted by President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa.

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12Sep By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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Food Shortage Fear Mounts In Maiduguri After Floods Recede

There is growing concern over shortage of foodstuff and other commodities in Maiduguri, Borno State, as thousands of residents struggle for survival, after ravaging floods. Floods submerged major markets including grain, fruit and vegetable depots in the town, while many shopping complexes and plazas remain closed. The development had led to shortage of food items making the prices of the few available ones exorbitant. “It is difficult to find foodstuffs now as all major markets are submerged. I can’t operate my restaurant in-spite of pressure from customers, because the foodstuff I stocked has been exhausted,” Hajara Mohammed said. Other food vendors who attended to customers the previous day, including Amina Isa, Rhoda Abdullahi and Jummai Mohammed said their stocks had also...

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