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12Jan By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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Cote D’Ivoire to start AFCON without star player

Cote D’Ivoire Coach, Jean-Louis Gasset, has confirmed that one of his star players and Borrussia Dortmund of Germany striker, Sebastian Haller, will not play the opening game of AFCON 2023 against Guinea Bissau. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gasset said this at the team’s press conference on Friday in Abidjan. Gasset, who also confirmed that one other player was also struggling with a muscle injury, assured the supporters that there was no cause for alarm. He was reluctant to rule out Haller against Nigeria when asked, but explained that the team had five days to prepare for the Super Eagles. He said there were no longer small teams in Africa again, adding that his players were aware of the objectives of coming into the competition. “We want to start very wel...

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12Jan By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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Supreme Court Affirms NNPP’s Abba Yusuf As  Kano State Governor 

The supreme court has affirmed the election of Abba Yusuf as Kano state governor. A five-member panel of the apex court held that the tribunal and the court of appeal erred by sacking Yusuf, candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), as governor of the state. The supreme court had reserved judgment after hearing the appeals on December 21, 2023. In March 2023, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Yusuf as the winner of the Kano governorship election. The Kano governor scored 1,019,602 votes to defeat Yusuf Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 890,705 votes. In September, the Kano governorship election petition tribunal sacked Yusuf as governor of the state. The tribunal deducted 165,663 votes from the 1,019,602 record...

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12Jan By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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DHQ: 60 Illegal Refining Sites Destroyed In One Week

Troops of Operation Delta Safe, in one week, uncovered and destroyed 60 illegal refining sites and apprehended 30 suspected oil thieves in the Niger Delta. Defence spokesman Edward Buba stated this in a briefing with journalists on the operations of the Nigerian Armed Forces on Thursday in Abuja. Mr Buba said the troops also discovered and destroyed 37 dugout pits, 65 boats, 71 storage tanks, 14 vehicles, 108 cooking ovens, four pump machines and one speedboat. He said the troops recovered 1.01 million litres of stolen crude oil, 299,169 litres of illegally refined AGO and 3,158 litres of DPK. According to him, troops raided a suspected extremist militant hideout in Obot Akara LGA of Akwa Ibom and Akuku-Toru and Okrika LGA of Rivers. “Troops also neutralised two violent extr...

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11Jan By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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FG to raise N35bn for Ajaokuta light steel

The Federal Government is to raise about N35 billion for the Ajaokuta Light Steel mill through the local financial market. Mr Shuaibu Audu, Minister of Steel Development, disclosed this to State House Correspondents after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu on Thursday in Abuja. He said that the mill would produce iron rods to be used in the road construction programme of the administration aimed at creating thousands of jobs in the country. "The Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, has already written a letter through his ministry, guaranteeing that there will be off takers in the iron rods that are being produced. "Basically, the precedent is on the Renewed Hope Agenda which the Minister of Works is driving plans to construct about 30,000 kilometres of roads across Nigeria, ...

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11Jan By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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ICPC chairman to personally prosecute people charged with corrruption

The newly-appointed Chairman of the ICPC, Dr Musa Aliyu (SAN), says he will be the lead prosecutor of persons the commission charges with corruption. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) chairman made the pledge at his maiden interaction with the media in Abuja on Wednesday. Aliyu, who said that he would lead by example, expressed the determination to do things differently from what obtained in the past. He said one of the steps he would be taking to improve the system was to show himself in court during the prosecution of persons charged with corruption by the ICPC. ``In the area of prosecution, by the grace of God I intend to be appearing in cases instituted by the ICPC ``As the chairman of the commission, whenever we have cases th...

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11Jan By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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Keyamo urges new CEOs to prioritise transparency, efficiency

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development , Mr Festus Keyamo, on Thursday urged new Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of the aviation agencies to prioritise transparency , efficiency and collaboration. Keyamo gave the advice in Abuja at the inauguration and induction for the newly appointed CEOs and Directors of the aviation agencies. According to the Minister , such prioritise transparency , efficiency and collaboration is necessary to ensure effective public service delivery. He said collective efforts would build a safe, secured and efficient aviation industry that would focuse on making Nigeria a hub that meets international standards. “The President Bola Tinubu administration plans to focus on optimizing and boosting revenue generation for Nigeria’s Aviation industr...

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11Jan By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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Supreme Court Dismisses APC’s Appeal Against Governor Eno

The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed three separate appeals brought before it by some governorship candidates seeking nullification of the election of Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno on account of alleged certificate forgery. The petitions of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Young Progressive Party (YPP) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) were all dismissed by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji. The petitions by the APC and its governorship candidate, Akanimo Udofia, YPP and its gubernatorial candidate, Akpan Bassey as well as NNPP and its governorship candidate, John Udoedehe, were thrown out by Mr Abba-Aji upon their withdrawals. The lead counsel to the respective parties withdrew their separate appeals following hints from the court’s panel of justices that they had no merit. Counse...

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11Jan By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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Operator Seeks Help After Losing Five Children, Six Others In Boat Accident

A resident of Ngo Town in Rivers State, Promise Festus, on Thursday appealed for assistance after he lost five of his children in Tuesday’s boat accident in the state. The commercial boat, which he drove, capsized in the Andoni-Bonny waterway, resulting in the drowning of at least 11 of its passengers. Mr Festus was returning his children to Ngo Town from his village after the Christmas and New Year celebrations when tragedy struck. We went to celebrate Christmas with my people, and on my way back with my family, I decided to carry people in my boat because they had no means of travelling. Unfortunately, the boat capsized and there was no rescue in sight. Eleven persons, including my sons and daughters, lost their lives in the process,’’ he said. A visibly-devastated, Mr Festus...

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9Jan By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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Tinubu Sacks Tunde Irukera, Ayoola Okoh

In conformity with plans to restructure and reposition critical agencies of the federal government towards protecting the rights of Nigerian consumers and providing a strong basis for enhanced contributions to the nation’s economy by key growth-enabling institutions, President Bola Tinubu has dismissed the following chief executive officers: (1) Mr. Babatunde Irukera — EVC/CEO, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) (2) Mr. Alexander Ayoola Okoh — Director-General/CEO, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) The two dismissed chief executives are directed to hand over to the next most senior officer in their respective agencies, pending the appointment of new chief executive officers. By this directive of the President, their removal from office takes immedia...

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9Jan By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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EFCC Detains Buhari’s Ex-Humanitarian Affairs Minister Over N37.1 Billion Fraud

After finally honouring the invitation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Sadiya Umar Farouq, the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has been detained for questioning over allegations of corruption in the handling of N37.1 billion social intervention funds during her tenure. Mrs Umar-Farouq who arrived at the headquarters of the commission in Abuja in honour of an earlier invitation over the pending case on Monday morning. She posted via her X handle at 10.17 a.m. on Monday that she had just arrived at the commission’s office. “I have, at my behest, arrived at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to honour the invitation by the anti-graft agency to offer clarifications in respe...

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8Jan By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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BREAKING NEWS: Tinubu Suspends Betta Edu

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu has suspended the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, from office with immediate effect. This was contained in a press release by Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity. "In line with his avowed commitment to uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in the management of the commonwealth of Nigerians, President Bola Tinubu suspends the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, from office with immediate effect." 'The President further directs the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to conduct a thorough investigation into all aspects of the financial transactions involving t...

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8Jan By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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Kogi Has No Airport, Yet Tinubu’s Minister Betta Edu Approved Flight Fare For Herself And Staff

Tinubu’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu approved funds for flight tickets and airport taxis for the ministry’s staff to Kogi even when the State has no airport. The approval is contained in a leaked internal memo dated November 6, 2023, and seen by our correspondent. The memo issued by the national programme manager, requesting the total sum of N72,374,500, was titled: ‘The Disbursement Under the 2023 Grant for Vulnerable Groups Programmes in Kogi State, 2023’, and was approved by the minister. In the memo, the sum is appropriated for the minister’s “advanced team” to travel by air for an “event” in Kogi. Each of the minister’s “advanced team” members, including aides, received the sum of N200,000 for flight tickets, N20,000 for airport taxi...

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7Jan By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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NDLEA: 252 Drug Suspects Arrested In Osun In 2023

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Osun State command, arrested 252 illicit drug suspects from January 2023 to December 2023. In a statement on Saturday in Osogbo, the NDLEA Commander in the state, Chidi Nnadi, said that the suspects comprised 214 males and 38 females. He said that the command secured the conviction of 57 suspects, whose sentencing ranged from three months imprisonment to five years imprisonment. According to the commander, 47 cases are pending in court. He said that the command seized illicit drugs weighing 1,909.69kg during the period. “Within the same period, the drug supply reduction efforts led to the discovery and destruction of 9.5 hectares of cannabis farms ( 23.759 tonnes of cannabis sativa) at Ifedayo and Oriade local government area...

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6Jan By Gami TadanyigbeNo Comments

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Arewa Group Blasts Edu’s Critics Over N44.8bn NSIPA Fraud, Says Intention to Distract EFCC

EFAs controversies rage on the scandal at the National Social Investment Programme Agency, NSIPA, the Arewa Integrity Group has described as diversionary any attempt to rope the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu in the scandal. The group also argued that the motive behind the campaign of calumny against the Minister was meant to distract the investigation into the agency. The Convener of the group, Alhaji Ibrahim Sambo, at a press conference in Kano on Saturday lauded the minister for not compromising her integrity by refusing to aid the wrongful conduct in NSPIA. Sambo also hailed the removal of Ms Halima Shehu, the former National Coordinator of the agency over the diversion of N44.8 billion into private accounts, and insisted that it would n...

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5Jan By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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Akeredolu”s Body Arrives Nigeria From Germany

The body of the late former Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has arrived in Nigeria from Germany. According to a post on the X handle of the late governor’s spokesperson, Richard Olatunde, the plane conveying the body arrived at about 3:39 p.m. on Friday, January 5, 2024. The late Governor’s remains were brought into the country from Germany, where he passed away. The body was received by his wife, Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, his children, and siblings led by Prof. Wole Akeredolu, the immediate younger brother. The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Tayo Ayinde; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbi Talabi; and representative of Osun State Gov...

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5Jan By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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MAN; What Tinubu’s Government Must Do To Improve Economy

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) reeled out recommendations to improve the real sector’s performance in 2024. MAN’s director-general, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, advised the federal government via a statement in Lagos. He urged the government to use savings from fuel subsidy removal to deploy a bouquet of production-focused policies backed with more structural measures to combat inflationary pressures from insecurity, energy and transport costs. Mr Ajayi-Kadir also called for overhauling the power sector and incentivising investment in renewables to boost electricity generation and promote energy-cost efficiency. He encouraged sub-national governments and private investors to leverage the opportunities provided by the Electricity Act 2023 to improve energy security in Nige...

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5Jan By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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OAUSTECH Congratulates Ayedatiwa On His Inauguration As Governor

The governing council, management and staff of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH) have congratulated Governor Lucky Aiyedetiwa on his recent inauguration. Mr Aiyedatiwa was acting governor when then-Governor Rotimi Akeredolu proceeded on medical leave. Mr Akeredolu died on December 27, 2023, leading to Mr Aiyedetiwa’s inauguration. In a statement issued by the university authorities on Friday, the vice chancellor of OAUSTECH, Temi Ologunorisa, also commiserated with Mr Aiyedatiwa over the death of the former governor. “It is with immense grief and a profound sense of loss (that) I express OAUSTECH’s heartfelt condolences to you at this critical time that history has thrust on you the leadership of our dear state. No doubt, this is a difficult time fo...

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4Jan By BolarinwaNo Comments

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Community leader cries out over death threat on niece, family members

Community leaders in Iboje District of Oka-Akoko, Ondo State, have expressed concern over the sudden disappearance of one of their members, Ms Iyabo Elizabeth Asemoloye, arising from death threats against her and members of her family. Leader of the household, Chief Gabriel Asemolye, lodged the complaint in an interview with our correspondent. He revealed that the crisis in Iboje started in 2015 following the death of the last Asemo of Iboje, a High Chief, leaving succession dispute to the coveted throne between Asemoloye and Akinbola ruing houses. "The problem started when the selection process for who will be the new Asemo began and got boiled up to the extent that thugs were recruited to keep escalating prospective opponents. "Normally, the position should rotate between As...

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3Jan By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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BREAKING NEWS: Alayede Of Ayede Ogbese, Oba Raphael Ajibola Oluyede Is Dead

The Alayede of Ayede Ogbese in Akure North local government area of Ondo State, Oba Raphael Ajibola Oluyede Ise-Oluwa II, is dead. He died at the age of 65. The monarch according to palace sources died in United States of America, where he was receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment. According to palace sources, Oba Raphael Ajibola Oluyede Ise-Oluwa II, joined his ancestors last Friday and the news of his death would be announced traditionally by 9:am today in Ayede Ogbese, Akure North Local Government area of Ondo State. The late Monarch, Oba Raphael Ajibola Oluyede Ise-Oluwa II, was born in 1958. He ascended the throne of his forefathers on December 18, 2021. The staff of office and instrument of appointment were handed over to him by the late Governor of Ondo St...

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2Jan By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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Rada Promises To Deal With Bandits, Other Criminals Terrorising Katsina

Governor Dikko Radda has called for more support from residents to deliver a “resounding blow” to bandits and other criminals in Katsina. In his New Year message on Monday, the governor said the government was committed to overcoming the security and other challenges bedevilling Katsina. In a statement by his chief press secretary, Ibrahim Kaula-Mohammed, Radda urged residents of the state to unite and forge a stronger bond with a will to confront the challenges of the state headlong. Mr Radda thanked the people for the cooperation and support he received for establishing the Katsina Community Watch Corps, set up to tackle insecurity. Mr Radda assured that “the government, together with the people, will deal a resounding blow to the menace of insecurity.” He also outlined hi...

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