Sunday, March 9

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Cricket Federation signs contract with national team players
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Cricket Federation signs contract with national team players

The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) has formally signed a contract with first team players in the male and female national teams. The signing, on Friday, was done on the sidelines at the ongoing NCF Women’s T20i Invitational tournament in Lagos. At the signing, Uyi Akpata, the Pesident of the Federation, said the move was necessary to stabilise and give players some measure of incentive to improve their form of play. “This is one step we have worked on so much, to be able to bring stability to the team and encourage our players to be able to keep their relevance on the national team. “This contract is for both the male and female national team players and we are hoping it encourages them and more importantly becomes the springboard for sustainable team building,” Akpata added...
Husband refuses to collect bride price from wife after court order
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Husband refuses to collect bride price from wife after court order

A man, Yahaya Saleh, on Friday refused to collect the bride price he earlier paid for his wife as ordered by a Grade 1 Area Court in Lugbe, Abuja. Sharpedgenews reports that the court on Friday dissolved the marriage between Saleh and his wife, Rabi, and ordered the wife to return the bride price. However, Saleh who lives in Jedo Estate, Lugbe, Abuja, told the court that he would not collect back the bride price because he had children with his estranged wife. He said that the marriage was consummated under Islamic Law and was blessed with two children, the first being four years old and the second, two years old. Delivering judgment earlier, the judge, Saleh Ramat, had dissolved the marriage on the grounds of Saleh’s lack of care for Rabi, adding that the marriage had broken ...
Labour Party Is Not Planning Insurrection- Spokesman
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Labour Party Is Not Planning Insurrection- Spokesman

Yunusa Tanko, the spokesperson of the Labour Party (LP), has said that the party is not plotting an insurrection. On Wednesday, the Department of State Services (DSS) said it confirmed a plot “by some key players” to install an interim government in the country. The secret police alleged that some protests against the outcome of the presidential elections were being sponsored by vested interests. Reacting on Thursday during an interview on Channels Television, Tanko described the development as a “conspiracy against the state” in which the LP had no part. However, the LP spokesperson accused the DSS of not reacting to attacks on his party members during the elections but only speaking afterward. “When we went on the streets to campaign and our members were maimed and attack...
First Bank Official Statement on Charge Against the Bank
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First Bank Official Statement on Charge Against the Bank

Our attention has been drawn to a sponsored sensational report by some online publications on a charge brought against the Bank.  While we will not be able to offer further comments as the matter is sub-judice, suffice it to say that the basis of the charge is a spurious allegation made by a delinquent debtor with the intention of embarrassing the Bank and tainting the Bank’s loan recovery efforts and legal enforcement of its security collateral interest in accordance with the terms thereof. We wish to assure our numerous customers, stakeholders and the general public that FirstBank operates by the highest standards of ethical conduct and will under no circumstances involve itself in any act of illegality just as it will take necessary legal steps ...
AMAC revenue team seeks probe of FCTA official over sabotage
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AMAC revenue team seeks probe of FCTA official over sabotage

The battle between Abuja Municipal Area Council and the Federal Capital Territory Administration over revenue collection took another dimension on Friday, as the AMAC technical partner called for probe and arrest of the director FCT Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage, Dr Babagana Adam. Briefing journalists in Abuja, the Executive Director, Takushara Nigeria Limited, ADM Media Limited Joint Venture, Mr Donald Amagbo appealed to the DSS, EFCC, ICPC and the police to arrest and investigate Adam for frustrating revenue generation in AMAC. Amagbo, said Adam had few days ago in the media, tagged him ' revenue impostor' which he described as defamation aimed at smearing him and thwarting professional way of generating revenue. He described as false and blackmail for Babagan...
Court dismisses El-Zakzaky’s suit against Immigration Service, DSS, NIA over travel documents
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Court dismisses El-Zakzaky’s suit against Immigration Service, DSS, NIA over travel documents

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday dismissed a suit filed by leader of the proscribed Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenah, seeking an order compelling the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS ) to reissue them international passports. Justice Obiora Egwuatu, in a judgment, held that the couple failed to provided sufficient evidence to show that their passports were either seized, destroyed, lost or that the relevant agency was unwilling to reissue travel documents to them. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that El-Zakzaky and wife, through their lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, in January 2022, sued the NIS and its Comptroller General as 1st and 2nd defendants for alleged refusal to issue new international passports to them. Also ...
Training: CDS inaugurates 15 troops-carrying vehicles at NDA
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Training: CDS inaugurates 15 troops-carrying vehicles at NDA

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor, on Thursday inaugurated 15 troops-carrying vehicles at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, in a bid to enhance the training of Cadets. Irabor told newsmen shortly after inaugurating the vehicles, that the duty of the NDA was to train Nigerian Officers manpower. He also said that the training involved movement of both men and equipment from one point to the other, which made the inaugurated vehicles very important. “These vehicles are intended to close that gap and boost what is available in the academy. The vehicles are new, therefore will add shape to training content of the cadets,” he said. Irabor explained that during training, the cadets would know how movement of troops in the field looked like. He, however,...
Croup urges political parties to refrain from inciting comments
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Croup urges political parties to refrain from inciting comments

By Sylvester Thompson An organisation, Nigerians United for Tinubu/Shettima(NUFTS), has called on political parties especially the opposition to refrain from making inciting comments that would heat up the polity. Ango Suleiman, Leader of the NUFTS said this at a news briefing in Abuja on Wednesday. “The 2023 general elections in Nigeria had come and gone, so as a nation, we have a duty to come together and build a prosperous and united Nigeria. “We recognise that these elections were not without their challenges, there were a few areas where we can still do better. “We understand that in every competitive exercise, there may be some grievances and concerns from various parties.o “However, it is important to note that there are laid down procedures to seek redress,’’ Sul...
IPOB Is Not Part Of The Formation Of Biafra Government In Exile Anywhere-Spokesman
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IPOB Is Not Part Of The Formation Of Biafra Government In Exile Anywhere-Spokesman

The Indigenous People of Biafra has denied reports that it plans to form its own government in exile and print the Biafra currency. The spokesman of the IPOB, Emma Powerful, reacted to the reports in a statement he issued on Wednesday. Powerful said in the statement: “We the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) under the command and leadership of the great liberator Nnamdi Kanu once again reiterate that IPOB is not part of the formation of Biafra government in exile anywhere. “The people behind the shambolic Radio Biafra government in exile in the USA are not IPOB members, and they should stop linking themselves to us. “Those piloting government in exile in the USA are not IPOB members and don’t mean well for Biafra freedom and restoration. “IPOB has no plan to print Biafra c...
Fasoranti To Adebanjo: Your Suspension Of Two National Officers Of Afenifere Is “Null And Void”
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Fasoranti To Adebanjo: Your Suspension Of Two National Officers Of Afenifere Is “Null And Void”

Elder statesman Reuben Fasoranti and a former leader of Afenifere has described the suspension of two national officers of Afenifere by Ayo Adebanjo as “null and void”. In a statement on Wednesday, the elder statesman also reacted to the suspension of two national officers of the Yoruba socio-political group, describing it as “null and void”. Afenifere led by Ayo Adebanjo had suspended Jare Ajayi, the group’s national publicity secretary, and Abagun Kole Omololu, national organising secretary. The officers were suspended for issuing an “unauthorised statement” against Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, chairman of the council of elders, Ohanaeze Ndigbo. The suspension of the duo was announced in a communiqué released at the end of the Afenifere monthly general meeting, on Tuesday. The fo...
NGO inaugurates campaign to tackle abdominal obesity
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NGO inaugurates campaign to tackle abdominal obesity

By Perpetua Onuegbu The National Action on Sugar Reduction (NASR), an NGO, and celebrity photographer Aisha Augie-Kuta, has inaugurated the #BigBelleFitKillPerson campaign targeting 47 million Nigerians with abdominal obesity. Miss Omei Bongos-Ikwue, Secretary, National Action on Sugar Reduction, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja. According to her, the campaign featured striking visuals aimed at highlighting the health risks of abdominal obesity. Bongos-Ikwue said obesity was a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like type 2 diabetes and heart disease. She also said that increased consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) is one of the major causes of obesity in Nigeria. “Many Nigerians associate obesity with simply being chubby ...
Alleged BVN fraud: Investigation outcome’ll determine fate of ex-agitators -PAP
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Alleged BVN fraud: Investigation outcome’ll determine fate of ex-agitators -PAP

I By Collins Yakubu-Hammer The Office of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) says findings from the ongoing investigation into multiple accounts of ex-agitaors linked to one BVN will determine the fate of protesting beneficiaries. This is contained in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja by Mr Freston Akpor, Media Aide to the PAP Interim Administrator. Akpor disclosed that names of all those involved in the alleged BVN fraud had been forwarded to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for investigation. He said that the Amnesty Office also blamed bank officials for colluding with the ex-agitaors to aid the “financial crime”. “So, investigation is ongoing, I must tell you there is nothing the PAP can do now over this matter until the investigation is conclud...
Zimbabwe Seeks Nigerian Air Force’s Assistance
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Zimbabwe Seeks Nigerian Air Force’s Assistance

The commander of the Air Force of Zimbabwe, Air Marshal Elson Moyo, has expressed his country’s desire to explore technical assistance from the Nigerian Air Force. Mr Moyo made the request when he visited the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, at NAF headquarters in Abuja. NAF’s spokesman, Air Commodore Ayodele Famuyiwa, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday. The Zimbabwean air chief requested technical support in research and development, unmanned aerial vehicle technology, and operation and maintenance of F7 and Mi-35 aircraft. Mr Moyo said the identified areas for collaboration were of common and peculiar aviation interests to Zimbabwe and Nigeria, whose air forces operate some similar aircraft. He said NAF, within a short time, had recorded remarkabl...
AMAC Chairman donates agro-chemical products, farm inputs to 120 farmers
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AMAC Chairman donates agro-chemical products, farm inputs to 120 farmers

Mr Christopher Maikalangu, Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) on Tuesday distributed agro-chemical products, farm inputs, among others, to 120 farmers selected from the 12 wards in area council. The chairman gave the donation at the inauguration of the 2023 farming season in AMAC tagged "Agricultural Revolution Starts Now". The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ten farmers each from the 12 wards went home with sack spraying machines, assorted herbicides, among other agricultural tools. The event also witnessed two extension agents going home with brand new motorcycles to aid distribution of agricultural products in their various communities. Maikalangu said that the donation is part of his committment to fulfilling his campaign promise of reducing the econom...
Ngige: NLC will no longer go on strike over Naira scarcity
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Ngige: NLC will no longer go on strike over Naira scarcity

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige has said that the federal government has started a conciliatory move with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the union’s threat to embark on an industrial strike. It would be recalled that the NLC had issued a seven-day ultimatum to the federal government to end the petrol and cash scarcity being experienced in the country. Following the ultimatum’s expiration, the union directed public sector workers in the country to embark on strike. The strike is billed to commence on Wednesday. The minister we gathered invited the NLC leadership and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to a meeting on Monday to resolve the issue. Speaking on Tuesday at the weekly ministerial briefing at the state house in Abuja, Ngige said there is an on...
Damagum Replaces Ayu As PDP Chairman
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Damagum Replaces Ayu As PDP Chairman

Iliya Umar Damagum has assumed office as the acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). This came as Iyorchia Ayu has stepped aside as the chairman of the Party. Ayu’s action came days after a federal judge ordered his temporary exit from office pending resolution to a series of political crises that recently beset the main opposition party. Ayu pushed fought for months to remain in office against ardent opposition from Nyesom Wike and other southern governors on the party’s line.
Philippines cuts ties with ICC over war on drugs investigation
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Philippines cuts ties with ICC over war on drugs investigation

The Philippines has cut off communication with the International Criminal Court (ICC) after it refused to suspend an investigation into the war on drugs, which has left thousands dead. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Tuesday. “That ends all our involvement with the ICC,’’ Marcos Jr told reporters after his government’s appeal was rejected. “The appeal has failed, and in our view, there is nothing more that we can do. At this point, we essentially are disengaging from any contact, from any communication with the ICC.’’ Marcos Jr noted that his government had not been cooperating with the ICC in the case so far, but is merely commenting on the state of the procedure in the controversial anti-drugs campaign. “We ended up in the same position that we started with, and tha...
Zimbabwean president appeals for more donations for cyclone-hit Malawi
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Zimbabwean president appeals for more donations for cyclone-hit Malawi

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Tuesday called for more donations for the people of Malawi after the devastating Tropical Cyclone Freddy hit the southern African country. Mnangagwa, chairing a resource mobilisation meeting, said that Zimbabwe stood with the people of Malawi, expressing his deepest sympathy to Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera, the bereaved families and the country at large. Mnangagwa commended the coordinated responses being undertaken by countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) towards assisting the people of Malawi. He appealed for more support from Zimbabweans to assist the people of Malawi to recover from the effects of the cyclone. Earlier on Saturday, the Zimbabwean government handed over 300 tons of maize meal to Malaw...
China unveils top 10 archaeological discoveries of 2022
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China unveils top 10 archaeological discoveries of 2022

China on Tuesday said that it had released a list of the top 10 archaeological findings of 2022 . It said that a site dating back to the Paleolithic period, which included ruins of ancient humans, animals and stoneware excavated in central China’s Hubei Province, was on the list. At this site, archaeologists had unearthed a fossilised skull, which is regarded as the most intact Homo erectus specimen of its age found in inland Eurasia. Among the list is an ancient hominid site discovered in Zhaojiaxuyao Village of east China’s Shandong Province. The discovery had helped fill the gap in the study of prehistoric human ruins in the region, providing key evidence about the significant transition from the Palaeolithic Age to the Neolithic Age in northern China. The list also incl...
theft: Investigative panel submits report to NSA
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theft: Investigative panel submits report to NSA

The Special Investigative Panel on Oil Theft/Losses in Nigeria, has submitted its report to the National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, in Abuja. The Head, Strategic Communication, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Mr Zakari Usman, in a statement on Tuesday, said the report was submitted on Monday. While submitting the report, the Chairman of the panel, retired Maj.-Gen. Barry Ndiomu, said the panel engaged key stakeholders from within and outside the oil and gas industry. Ndiomu said stakeholders from state governments, ministries, departments and agencies, security agencies, regulatory agencies, international and indigenous oil companies, traditional institutions, host communities, artisanal refiners, among others were also engaged. ...