Thursday, April 30

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Frank Kokori, Ex-Labour Leader Dies At 80
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Frank Kokori, Ex-Labour Leader Dies At 80

The former general secretary of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Frank Kokori is dead. He was aged 80. Kokori died at a hospital in Warri, Delta state, on Thursday, coincidentally his birthday. Atawada Oke, Kokori’s personal assistant, confirmed the death of the former NUPENG leader. Over the past few months, the former NUPENG secretary has been battling a kidney-related ailment. On November 9, Kokori raised an alarm over his health status from his sick bed. Twenty-four hours later, Sheriff Oborevwori, governor of Delta, visited the elder statesman at the hospital and promised that the state will provide support for him to get “high-quality medical treatment”. Kokori played a significant role in the struggle against the annulment of the ...
Olufemi Olaleye Appeals Life Sentence For Defiling Wife’s 16-Year-Old Niece
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Olufemi Olaleye Appeals Life Sentence For Defiling Wife’s 16-Year-Old Niece

The Medical Director of Optimal Cancer Care Foundation, Dr Olufemi Olaleye, has asked the Court of Appeal to set aside his conviction by the lower court over alleged defilement of a minor. Mr Olaleye, in a notice of appeal filed by his lawyer, Dr Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, said that the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court was wrong to have relied on the evidence presented by the prosecution against him. The court, presided over by Justice Rahman Oshodi in the charge number: ID/20289C/2022 had, on October 24, sentenced Olaleye to life imprisonment for alleged defilement of his wife’s niece said to be 16-year old. However, in the appeal dated and filed on November 24 at the Appeal Court sitting in Lagos State, the appellant, through his lawyer, gave 35 grounds why his appeal ...
2024 Budget: State House To Spend N2bn For Replacement Of SUVs, N4bn For Purchase Of New Vehicles
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2024 Budget: State House To Spend N2bn For Replacement Of SUVs, N4bn For Purchase Of New Vehicles

As breakdown of the 2024 budget continues to emerge, the federal government has earmarked N2,000,000,000 for the replacement of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) in the 2024 budget. President Bola Tinubu had presented the 2024 budget proposal of N27 trillion last week Wednesday to a joint session of the national assembly. Thereafter, the appropriation bill passed the second reading at both the senate and house of representatives. In the appropriation bill document, the federal government also proposed N4,000,000,000 for the purchase of state house operational vehicles. According to the details of the budget, an allocation of N442,112,065 was made for maintenance services at the state house. Part of the proposed budget expenditure included N129,635,017 for maintenance of motor ve...
International NGO to ensure 1 in 4 women access contraceptive services
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International NGO to ensure 1 in 4 women access contraceptive services

By Justina Auta Marie Stopes International Organisation in Nigeria (MSION), an NGO, has rebranded to MSI Nigeria Reproductive Choices (MSIN) to facilitate reproductive choices by ensuring one in four women access contraceptive services by 2030. The organisation’s Country Director, Mr Emmanuel Ajah, made this known on the sideline of the rebranding event in Abuja. Ajah said that rebranding of the organisation would bridge gaps in family planning services and enable individuals to make choices on their Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (SRH) rights services. He added that “we offer Nigerian women contraceptives without discrimination or being judgmental based on age, location, background, marital or economic status. “Our vision is to achieve a birth where everyone is wanted a...
FG, private sector partner on manufacturing, distribution of contraceptive products
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FG, private sector partner on manufacturing, distribution of contraceptive products

By Justina Auta The Federal Government says it will deepen collaboration with the private sector for manufacturing and distribution of family planning commodities to scale-up Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare Services (SRH) in the country. The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, stated this on Tuesday, in Abuja at the rebranding of the Marie Stopes International Organisation in Nigeria to MSI Nigeria Reproductive Choices (MSIN) Pate, represented by Mrs Jummai Bako-Aiyegbusi, Director Nutrition, reiterated government commitment to unhindered access to SRH and family planning commodities for Nigerians of reproductive age to choose, obtain and use. “The ministry is working to deepen collaboration with the private sector in several aspects including manufacturin...
Salaries ‘n’ Wages, data commission partner to boost workers’ productivity
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Salaries ‘n’ Wages, data commission partner to boost workers’ productivity

By Lucy Ogalue The National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), is partnering with the Nigeria Data Processing Commission (NDPC) to increase the productivity of workers in the country. The NSIWC Chairman, Mr Ekpo Nta, said this at a Data Protection and Productivity Measurement and Improvement training organised by both organisations in Abuja on Tuesday. ”We have always tried to organise partnerships like this to improve our country. ”Information and Technology services are now driving the economy, and there is no better partner in that sector than the NDPC which we are collaborating with. ”We are looking at ramping up productivity in the public sector, and you cannot do that if you do not have sufficient data as it is based on statistics. ”You can only begin to...
Oshiomhole urges Labour to revisit management of Contributory Pension Fund
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Oshiomhole urges Labour to revisit management of Contributory Pension Fund

By Joan Nwagwu Adams Oshiomhole has called on organised Labour to revisit the management of the Contributory Pension Funds. Oshiomhole said this at the 8th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference of the Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) on Tuesday in Abuja. The conference was with the theme,”Trade Unionism in the Era of Economic Crisis: Addressing the Increasing Poverty Level of Nigerian Workers”. The former Governor of Edo State had alleged that the Federal and State Government were borrowing from the contributory pension funds at a low interest rate. Oshiomhole said that this was breaching the concept of establishing the contributory pension scheme. According to him, i know I resisted the idea of contributory pension to be managed ...
Non-kinetic approach key to solving conflict in N/East- NDC provost
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Non-kinetic approach key to solving conflict in N/East- NDC provost

The Provost of National Defence College (NDC), Prof. Adam Ahmed, says non-kinetic approach is key to winning war against insurgence and conflicts in the north east and other parts of the country. Ahmed said this on Monday in Abuja at the opening of the workshop on Defence and Security Management organized by the NDC through the Centre for Strategic Research and Studies. He noted that the use of kinetic approach had not been able to achieve much result as non-kinetic did since its introduction by the Federal Government. He said that the programme was specifically designed to train the middle level and senior level of the members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the securities and the strategic allied MDAs. “The current one that is in session is the seventh version, so it means it...
#RevolutionNow: Sowore’s Treason Case Stalled Over Judge’s Absence
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#RevolutionNow: Sowore’s Treason Case Stalled Over Judge’s Absence

The alleged treason case filed by the federal government against a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, was stalled on Tuesday at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court due to the judge’s absence. Mr Sowore is standing trial before Justice Emeka Nwite on allegations of treasonable felony. Then-President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime had accused Sowore of treason following his call for a protest tagged #RevolutionNow on August 5, 2019. Mr Sowore was in court on Tuesday, but the matter could not continue. His counsel, Marshall Abubakar, said the court registrar had informed him that the judge was on national assignment in another jurisdiction of the court. Mr Abubakar said he had to take a new hearing date, February 14, 2024. On th...
Chinese Director Jailed 10 Years For Taking $2 Million Bribe
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Chinese Director Jailed 10 Years For Taking $2 Million Bribe

A Chinese court on Tuesday sentenced Zhang Wufeng, former director of the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration, to 10 years for bribery. Mr Zhang was convicted of taking bribes worth over ¥16.47 million (about $2.32 million) by the Intermediate People’s Court of Deyang City, Sichuan Province. He was found guilty of taking undue advantage of his former positions in Shandong Province, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration to commit the crime. However, between 2003 and 2022, the court said he aided other individuals and entities in matters related to project contracting and career promotions. The court added that Mr Zhang was fined ¥1 million and had his illegal gains from bribery recovered and tu...
Aigbefoh receives Award for Outstanding/Inspiring Legal Practitioner of the year
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Aigbefoh receives Award for Outstanding/Inspiring Legal Practitioner of the year

By Gami Tadanyigbe Chief Dr Ebosetale David Aigbefoh Esq, has been Honoured by National Media Community Award 2023 as“ Outstanding /Inspiring Legal Practitioner of the year 2023” at the National Institute Of Journalism Ogba- Ikeja, Lagos, on December, 3rd 2023. This prestigious award of recognition was bestowed upon Chief Dr. Aigbefoh for his remarkable contributions in the legal profession for the development of justice in the country. Acknowledging Outstanding Contributions, Chief Dr. Aigbefoh's tireless efforts and unwavering commitment to the legal practice and community development have made a significant impact on the lives of many. As the Chairman and Publisher of "Legislative Assembly News" Media, he has utilized his platform to raise awareness about pertinent issues, ...
Organisation urges stakeholders to invest in orphans, street children
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Organisation urges stakeholders to invest in orphans, street children

By Justina Auta A firm, FBS Reinsurance Limited, has called on stakeholders to invest in the education, basic needs and showing love to orphans and vulnerables to promote Nigeria’s security. Mr Fola Daniel, the organisation’s Chief Executive Officer, made the appeall when they donated N600,000, electronics, food stuffs, sewing machines and grinding machines, among other items, to two orphanages on Sunday in Abuja. The homes visited included Halal Children’s Homes, Lifecamp; and Heritage Orphanage Home, Gwarimpa. Daniel, while commending the caregivers for their love, sacrifices and commitment to the children, encouraged other stakeholders to contribute towards the growth and development of the children. According to him, ignoring or failure to support orphans, vulnerable and...
Some Ondo Officials Are Forging Akeredolu’s Signature-Ajulo
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Some Ondo Officials Are Forging Akeredolu’s Signature-Ajulo

Kayode Ajulo, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has alleged that some government officials in Ondo are forging the signature of Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of the state, on documents. Speaking in an interview on Arise TV, Ajulo said the absence of Akeredolu has created a huge vacuum in the state. Akeredolu has been absent from the state since June 2023 due to medical reasons. Akeredolu returned to Nigeria in the first week of September after a three-month medical leave in Germany. Since returning to the country, Akeredolu has been in Ibadan, Oyo state capital. The absence of Akeredolu from Ondo has become a source of concern to many stakeholders within and outside the state. Reacting to the development, the lawyer said some cabals have hijacked the governance of the stat...
Demand More Than Supply: 150k Nigerians Have Done Visa Interview This Year-US Embassy
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Demand More Than Supply: 150k Nigerians Have Done Visa Interview This Year-US Embassy

Following the high numbers of Nigerians seeking to travel to United States of America, its embassy in Nigeria has said that it is doing everything possible to clear visa applications from Nigerians. Speaking in an interview with NAN on Sunday, David Greene, the charge d’affaires of the embassy, said the demand for visa applications is more than the supply. Greene said the embassy has interviewed over 150,000 Nigerians for visa applications in 2023. “When it comes to visas, it is a simple fact, the demand for visa appointments outnumbers the supply,” he said. So, those appointments are available and we are doing everything we can to address that gap. “What folks do not know is that this year we have interviewed more than 150,000 Nigerians. “This is in addition to 30,000 st...
Tinubu Rolls Out 100 Electric Buses
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Tinubu Rolls Out 100 Electric Buses

President Bola Tinubu says Nigeria is taking a significant step towards a sustainable and eco-friendly future through its pioneering initiative to deploy a fleet of 100 electric buses. Presidential aide Ajuri Ngelale said in a statement on Saturday in Abuja that the president disclosed this at a meeting with stakeholders and investors in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Mr Tinubu was speaking on the Nigeria Carbon Market and Electric Buses Rollout Programme on the margins of the COP28 climate summit. The president explained that the strategic initiative was to reduce Nigeria’s carbon footprint and modernise the country’s transportation systems. This, Mr Tinubu said, was part of a larger effort to position Nigeria and Africa as the pioneering frontier of green manufacturing and indu...
Nigeria Inaugurates Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy At COP28
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Nigeria Inaugurates Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy At COP28

Nigeria has unveiled its Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) at the ongoing Conference of Parties 28 (COP28) in Dubai. Chukwumerije Okereke, the director of the Centre for Climate Change and Development, Federal University, Ebonyi, said this in a statement in Lagos. Mr Okereke said with the unveiling, Nigeria had achieved another major milestone in its effort to achieve a net-zero carbon economy by 2060. He said the event, graced by dignitaries and delegates from different countries, was held at the prestigious African Pavilion in the Blue Zone. Mr Okereke said the event was moderated by Eugene Itua, the executive director of the Natural Eco-Capital, the organisation that coordinated the development of the LT-LEDS. According to him, the LT-LEDS started unde...
NDLEA Arrests Suspected Indian Hemp Farmer In Sokoto
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NDLEA Arrests Suspected Indian Hemp Farmer In Sokoto

The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced the arrest of a suspected Indian hemp farmer in Sokoto State. It is the first such case in the history of the state”, the commandant of NDLEA in the state, Adamu Iro, told journalists in Sokoto on Saturday. Mr Iro said that the suspect, Anas Sani, was arrested in Sayinna village, Tambuwal Local Government Area, following a tip-off. He said that the suspect planted a foreign variety of cannabis sativa in his maize farm, which was uprooted by NDLEA operatives who stormed the farm. According to him, the suspect will be prosecuted after laboratory analysis of the uprooted leaves. He appreciated residents for their support to the agency and urged them not to relent. The commandant warned that cultivating Indian he...
ECOWAS Flays Disruption Of Constitutional Order In Guinea Bissau
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ECOWAS Flays Disruption Of Constitutional Order In Guinea Bissau

The Economic Community of West African States on Saturday condemned the violence that erupted in Guinea Bissau in the early hours of Friday. The condemnation was contained in a statement issued by the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja. It stated that the community learnt with deep preoccupation, the violence that erupted in Guinea Bissau in the early hours of Friday. ECOWAS strongly condemned the violence and attempts to disrupt the constitutional order and rule of law in Guinea Bissau. ECOWAS further called for the arrest and persecution of the perpetrators of the incident in accordance with the law. Also, ECOWAS expressed its solidarity with the people of that country and the constitutional authority of Guinea Bissau.
Gov. Sule has done exceptionally well in 2023, will do more in 2024- Commissioner
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Gov. Sule has done exceptionally well in 2023, will do more in 2024- Commissioner

The Nasarawa State Commissioner for Finance, Hajiya Munirat Abdullahi, has commended Gov. Abdullahi Sule for performing exceptionally well in almost sectors of the economy in 2023 fiscal year. The commissioner made the commendation while addressing newsmen after the governor presented the 2024 Appropriation Bill before the state House of Assembly on Friday in Lafia. She said that in 2023, the state has achieved a lot in implementation of its projects, policies and programmes “Which has improved on the standard of living of the people of the state. “If you look at the implementation of 2023 budget, His Excellency, Gov. Abdullahi Sule has done well. “He has done exceptionally well in almost all sectors of the economy and this has changed the standard of living of our people posi...
Kebbi Commends Vigilance Group For Killing Notorious Kidnapper
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Kebbi Commends Vigilance Group For Killing Notorious Kidnapper

Mr Idris said that the government was happy with the report of the death of the terrorist. The Kebbi State Government has hailed members of the vigilance service in the Kanzanna general area for killing a notorious kidnapper, Dogo Oro, terrorising two local government areas in the state. The commendation was contained in a statement by Alhaji Ahmed Idris, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris on Saturday in Birnin Kebbi. He said that Oro had made life difficult for people living in Bunza and Kalgo Local Government Areas. Mr Idris said that the government was happy with the report that the criminal was eliminated by some members of the vigilance service at Tunga village in Tilli ward of Bunza LGA. “The successful operation has added a lot of hope for our ...