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22Oct By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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NYSC, others secure release of 1 of  abducted Zamfara corps members

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) says  it has secured the release of one of the eight Prospective Corps Members (PCMs) abducted in Zamfara State, through the help of security agencies. The Director, Press and Public Relations, Mr Eddy Megwa, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja. Sharpedgenews reports that eight PCMs and the bus driver were abducted in August in Zamfara by gunmen on their way from Uyo, Akwa Ibom, to Sokoto. They were going for the commencement of the one-year national service orientation course. According to Megwa, the PCM, a female, regained freedom on Friday, at about 12.30pm. “The scheme is confident that with the combined efforts of security agencies, the remaining will be released. “As corps members and prospective ones alik...

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22Oct By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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UN agencies welcome convoy’s entry into Gaza, but more aid needed

UN agencies welcome convoy’s entry into Gaza, but more aid needed UN Humanitarian Affairs Coordinator Martin Griffiths welcomed the entry of an aid convoy into Gaza on Saturday, the first since the start of hostilities two weeks ago, following deadly attacks by Hamas against Israel. The 20-truck convoy that passed through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt carried life-saving supplies provided by the Egyptian Red Crescent and the UN, including enough water for 22,000 people but only for one day. The items were approved to cross and be received by the Palestinian Red Crescent, with UN support. “I am confident that this delivery will be the start of a sustainable effort to provide essential supplies – including food, water, medicine and fuel – to the people of Gaza, in a safe,...

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22Oct By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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UN chief, U.S President thank Qatar Emir for release of 2 American citizens

UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has expressed appreciation for the assistance of the Emir of Qatar for his efforts to secure the release of two Americans who had been held hostage in Gaza. Guterres, in his statement by his Spokesperson Mr Stephane Dujarric on Saturday, renewed his call for an immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. “He calls once again for unhindered and sustained humanitarian access in Gaza; full respect for international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians; as well as for concerted efforts by the international community to avoid a wider regional spill-over of the conflict,” said the statement. Similarly, in a statement, U.S. President Joe Biden, thanked the government of Qatar and the government of Israel for their partnership ...

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21Oct By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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Reps Move To Stop Crude Oil Theft

The House of Representatives has resolved to introduce legislative instruments to halt crude oil theft that has led to the loss of over one billion dollars in revenue. Rep. Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, said this during the presentation of the report of an ad-hoc committee investigating crude oil theft and loss of revenue from Oil and Gas at the end of the week’s legislative activities. The motion was referred to the ad-hoc committee chaired by Rep. Kabiru Rurum, following the adoption of a motion sponsored by Rep. Phillip Agbese (APC-Benue). The deputy speaker stated that oil theft accounts for the loss of over $1 billion which represents a huge percentage of the national budget. He lamented that the scourge of oil theft impedes government’s a...

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21Oct By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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Borno: Police Arrest Husband, One Other For Allegedly Killing Wife

The police in Borno State has confirmed the arrest of two suspects, Adamu Ibrahim and Bukar Wadiya, for allegedly killing one Fatima Alhaji-Bukar, a 24 years old housewife. Mrs Alhaji-Bukar was a resident of Dikechiri, Bayan Gidan Dambe area of Maiduguri metropolis, Borno State. In a statement by spokesperson of the Borno command ASP Sani Kamilu and made available to reporters in Maiduguri, the police said the deceased was married to Mr Ibrahim who was the prime suspect in the matter. On October 18, 2023, one Adamu Alhaji Ibrahim of Dikechiri Bayan Gidan Dambe area Maiduguri went to Gwange Division, accompanied by one Bukar Wadiya, conveying the body of a woman whom he claimed to be his wife and sought for an emergency help from the police,” he said. He added that “The husband...

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21Oct By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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FG not underming agreement reached with Labour – Ministry

The Federal Government says it is not undermining the agreement reached with organised Labour on Oct. 2. It would be recall that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had alleged that the Minister of Labour and Employment, Mr Simon Lalong, had undermined the recent  agreement reached with organised labour. Mr Olajide Oshundun, Director of Information in the Ministry of Labour and Employment, said this in a statement he signed on Friday in Abuja. According to Oshundun, the attention of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has been drawn to a press release issued by the NLC) on 18th October, 2023. “It alleged that the Minister is moving to undermine the critical Labour-Federal Government Agreement of October 2, 2023. “We wish to unequivocally refute the allegation a...

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20Oct By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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Wike Orders Revocation Of Houses Converted For Other Uses In FCT

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has approved the withdrawal and revocation of houses sold to individuals by the FCT Administration but converted to other uses. Mukhtar Galadima, Director, Department of Development Control, FCTA, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Friday. Mr Galadima recalled that the federal government, in 2005, initiated the monetisation programme because of the cost of maintaining the houses. He explained that the houses were sold to the occupiers to maintain them, but after some time, some beneficiaries converted them from residential to other uses. “It is on this note that the minister has approved and directed that all owners of such properties should revert the use of the properties to its original and desig...

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20Oct By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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Tough Bail Conditions Fuelling Prison Congestion- Lawyers

Some lawyers in Lagos on Friday blamed prison congestion in Nigeria on stringent bail conditions. A lawyer and social critic, Spurgeon Ataene, said the rate of prison congestion should compel courts to review bail conditions. He noted that the Nigeria Correctional Service had repeatedly decried the congestion of prisons across states. Stringent bail terms such as the provision of civil servants landed property owners, community leaders or people in blue chip companies as sureties are responsible for the situation we see today. “Magistrates and judges should not take undue delight in ensuring that minor offenders remain in custody,” he said, suggesting that relatives be accepted as sureties,” he said. Mr Ataene added that prosecutors should stop unnecessary objections to bai...

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20Oct By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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NIDS Group Partners UATH to Deliver Medical Services to Displaced Communities in FCT

By Information Unit, UATH The Nigeria IDP Diaspora Support (NIDS) Group, in Partnership with the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) Gwagwalada, has held a 3-day medical outreach to pregnant women and children in displaced communities in FCT. Mr Kelvin Obi, Founder/Chairman, Nigeria IDP Diaspora Support Group, during the mission disclosed that the group is a non-profit, charity organization based in the United Kingdom with focus on maternal/child health and mental health. The Founder said the Group also in this visit trained adult and children trauma counsellors and held a workshop for community health workers and nurses to help reduce maternal mortality rate and perinatal mortality in the country. Dr Sambo Thomas, a Senior Registrar (who is part of the local content)...

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20Oct By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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Tinubu appoints new Auditor-General of the Federation

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mr Shaakaa Chira as the substantive Auditor-General of the Federation. A statement by Presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale said that the appointment was based on the powers vested on Tinubu by Section 86 of the 1999 Constitution (Amended). He said that the President approved Chira’s appointment after a Federal Civil Service Commission confirmed him as the most qualified candidate out of those screened. Chira also scored the highest marks in the examination conducted for the office. Ngelale said that the President tasked the new Auditor-General to justify the confidence reposed in him and live up to the expectations of Nigerians.

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20Oct By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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REA to electrify 250,000 households in 2024

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) says it is supporting 250,000 households withelectric mobility, mini-grids, home systems to boost electricity in the country. Malam Mutari Ibrahim, Director Promotion and Outreach (PIO) made this known in a statement in Abuja on Friday. "In response to subsidy removal, REA is implementing interventions to develop electric mobility, mini-grids, distribute home systems. ''And deploy streetlights, potentially supporting up to 250,000 households in the coming year. Ibrahim said that the agency has equally deployed over 1,650 Kilo Meter (KM) of solar streetlights, improving power, security, and economic growth in rural areas, ''he said. He said that REA also completed 1,403 projects under the capital budget, delivering solar streetlights, m...

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20Oct By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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REA to electrify 250,000 households in 2024

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) says it is supporting 250,000 households withelectric mobility, mini-grids, home systems to boost electricity in the country. Malam Mutari Ibrahim, Director Promotion and Outreach (PIO) made this known in a statement in Abuja on Friday. "In response to subsidy removal, REA is implementing interventions to develop electric mobility, mini-grids, distribute home systems. ''And deploy streetlights, potentially supporting up to 250,000 households in the coming year. Ibrahim said that the agency has equally deployed over 1,650 Kilo Meter (KM) of solar streetlights, improving power, security, and economic growth in rural areas, ''he said. He said that REA also completed 1,403 projects under the capital budget, delivering solar streetlights, m...

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20Oct By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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Kremlin says not sure who represents Russia at Gaza Strip Summit in Cairo

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that more clarification is needed on who is to represent Russia at the summit on the situation in the Gaza Strip, which will be held on October 21 in Cairo. The Al Qahera News broadcaster reported on Thursday that 31 country and three international organizations had confirmed their participation in the summit on the situation in the Gaza Strip. “I cannot tell you now. I need to clarify this. And I recommend checking with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” Peskov told reporters. Earlier in the day, reports emerged that European Council President Charles Michel and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell will join Cairo Peace Summit on behalf of the European Union. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will also at...

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20Oct By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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Agric Secretariat tasks FCT residents on tree planting to mitigate climate change

Mr Lawan Geidam, Mandate Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has urged residents of the FCT to plant trees as part of strategies to combat climate change. Geidam, who made the call during a visit to the FCT Plant Nursery in Bwari on Friday, expressed concern over the loss of tree covers resulting from rapid developmental activities in the FCT. He noted that climate change has emerged as a global concern, with its detrimental effects being felt across the world. He said that FCT, like many other urban areas, has experienced the depletion of its green cover due to urbanisation and developmental projects. According to him, the removal of trees not only contributes to the loss of biodiversity but also exacerbate...

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20Oct By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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Monetisation programme: FCTA to revoke houses converted for other uses – Official

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike has approved the withdrawal and revocation of houses sold to individuals by the FCT Administration but converted to other uses. Mr Mukhtar Galadima, Director, Department of Development Control, FCTA, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Friday. Galadima recalled that the Federal Government in 2005 initiated the monetisation programme because of the cost of maintaining the houses. He explained that the houses were sold to the occupiers so that they could maintain them. He, however, said that after some time, some of the beneficiaries converted the houses from residential to other uses. This, according to him, constitutes so much burden in terms of city administration and management that this admin...

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20Oct By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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Women Inclusion: The future belongs to youths, women – First Lady

The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu has given assurance that more women and youths will be involved in governance under the present administration as the future belongs to them. The first lady gave the assurance on Friday when she received the National Women Leader of APC, Mary Idele, in her office in the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Sen. Tinubu urged women to be more optimistic in life and to put in more efforts to positively impact society. She called on women to showcase themselves in the political space and to positively impact the efforts at nation building. She also encouraged those found worthy of various roles to always reach out to key stakeholders in their respective sectors. "The future belongs to the youths and for young women who are interested in politics to fit...

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20Oct By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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Tinubu confirms Adeniyi’s appointment as CG Customs

President Bola Tinubu has approved the confirmation of the appointment of Adewale Adeniyi  as the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service. Mr Willie Bassey, Director Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation made this known in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja. According to the statement, the President tasks Adeniyi to bring his wealth of experience to bear on his new assignment. “The appointment takes effect from  Oct. 19 and his tenure is in accordance with the extant provisions of the Public Service Rules (PSR).

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20Oct By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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GOC charges 52 graduates of Operational Planning Cadre on teamwork, discipline

Maj.-Gen Hassan Dada, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division, Nigerian Army, has charged 52 graduating officers of Operational Planning Cadre on teamwork, discipline, professionalism and joint action during operations. Dada gave the charge on Friday in Enugu while declaring close the 82 Division Operational Planning Cadre training held between Oct. 16 and Oct. 20, 2023. He said that the training had exposed all the participants to the need to operate in joint environment with others, notwithstanding security formations and specialties. “With this, the issue of rivalry would have been removed as currently being propagated by our bosses,” he said. According to him, “I therefore thank the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, for his visionary leadershi...

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20Oct By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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Israeli army says majority of hostages held in Gaza alive

The Israeli Army said on Friday that most of the hostages being held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas militant Palestinian organisation are still alive. However, the army did not say where they got the information and it cannot be independently verified. Tensions have been particularly high in the wake of bloody attacks and massacres in Israel on Oct. 7 carried out by Hamas, which is classified as a terrorist organisation by the European Union, the United States and Israel. About 203 hostages are being held in the Hamas-controlled coastal enclave, including more than 20 children and teenagers, according to Israeli military sources. Between 10 and 20 hostages are elderly people over 60, it said. Between 100 to 200 people are still missing since the unprecedented attack getting...

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20Oct By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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Group decries lawmakers splurge N160m exotic cars amidst economic crisis

Rescue The Vulnerable Initiative, an NGO, has expressed concern over the insensitivity of Nigerian lawmakers purchased of exotic cars at a staggering cost of N160 million per legislator. The leader of the group, Mr Faduri Joseph, told newsmen in Abuja on Friday that the lawmakers decision came at a time when the nation’s economy was in a state of free fall, leaving countless civil servants and workers struggling to provide for their families due to meager earnings. He said skyrocketing food prices and the abrupt removal of fuel subsidies without adequate preparation has exacerbated the hardship. Joseph said: “It’s shameful that our lawmakers, during one of the worst economic downturns in the history of Nigeria, could utilise borrowed funds to acquire luxury vehicles for themselve...

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