Saturday, April 25

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Moroccan king lauds UN support for its Western Sahara autonomy plan
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Moroccan king lauds UN support for its Western Sahara autonomy plan

Moroccan king, His Majesty King Mohammed VI, has commended the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for adopting a resolution supporting Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, describing it as a “historic change.” The UNSC, in a United States-drafted text, on Friday called for the parties to engage in negotiations based on an autonomy plan first presented by Morocco to the UN in 2007. According to the resolution, a genuine autonomy for Western Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty could be the most feasible solution to Rabat’s 50-year conflict with the Algeria-backed Polisario Front. In a rare televised address, King Mohamed VI welcomed the Security Council’s support of its autonomy plan, adding that “it is a pivotal moment and a crucial turning point in the history of modern M...
CUPP lauds Tinubu’s road infrastructure projects, calls for consistency
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CUPP lauds Tinubu’s road infrastructure projects, calls for consistency

(NAN)The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has commended President Bola Tinubu's administration for his impressive road infrastructure projects across the country. Its National Spokesperson, Mark Adebayo, said this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, after an inspection of the Abuja-Lokoja-Benin Road, among others. Adebayo said that the coalition rated the current administration "very good" in the area of road infrastructure. He said that the opposition parties came to the conclusion after a painstaking assessment of work done in various sectors of the Nigerian economy in the last two years. According to him members of the steering committee of the CUPP were on the independent inspection team. He said their intention was to go by themselves to assess the situati...
Buratai restates commitment to encouraging young writers
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Buratai restates commitment to encouraging young writers

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer Former Chief of Army Staff, retired Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has restated his commitment to nurturing young writers’ potential in the literary world. Buratai made the commitment in his remarks at the 2nd  edition of the Young Adult Literature Prize (YALP) on Saturday at Gora, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. The event which also included the public presentation of TALP 2024 Anthology titled “Truth & Dare” compiled and edited by Dr Lizi Ben-Iheanacho and Om’Oba Jerry Adesewo. It is the visionary project of the TY Buratai Literary Initiative. The initiative was supported by Tukur and Tukur Foundation, TY Buratai Humanity Care Foundation Northeast Women for Development Agenda, Hajiya Hauwa Aliyu of Adams Pages Book Store and others...
Engr. Chinedu Ogwus Champions Robotics and AI for Emission Reduction in the Oil and Gas Industry
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Engr. Chinedu Ogwus Champions Robotics and AI for Emission Reduction in the Oil and Gas Industry

Eur. Ing. Dr. Chinedu Ogwus, Regional Director, Africa (Robotics and Autonomous Systems – RAS), Society of Petroleum Engineers International (SPEi), delivered a groundbreaking paper and a thought-provoking presentation that underscored both technical excellence and visionary leadership at the Institution of Petroleum and Gas Engineers Conference, held at the prestigious Continental Hotel, Abuja. Presenting a paper titled “The Use of Robots to Reduce Emissions in Oil and Gas for Sustainable Climate Energy,” Dr. Ogwus articulated a compelling case for the integration of robotics, artificial intelligence, and intelligent automation as critical instruments for reducing emissions, enhancing operational safety, and driving sustainable transformation across Africa’s oil and gas landscape. ...
This Award Gives Me Hope” Makanjuola Nureni Honoured for His Dedication to Nigerian Sports
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This Award Gives Me Hope” Makanjuola Nureni Honoured for His Dedication to Nigerian Sports

Abuja-based football administrator and philanthropist, Makanjuola Nureni, has been honoured with the Distinguished Service Award by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) in recognition of his outstanding support to sports journalism and his immense contributions to sports development in Nigeria. The prestigious award was presented on Friday in Abuja during SWAN’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration held in Abuja, marking 60 years of promoting sports journalism and excellence across the nation. Expressing his gratitude after receiving the honour, Makanjuola Nureni described the award as a source of inspiration and renewed motivation to continue his lifelong commitment to youth and grassroots sports. “This award gives me hope and motivation to do more. It’s a source of inspirati...
CP ORUTUGU DECORATES FOURTEEN NEWLY PROMOTED OFFICERS IN BAYELSA
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CP ORUTUGU DECORATES FOURTEEN NEWLY PROMOTED OFFICERS IN BAYELSA

The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu fwc minps Phd, on 31st October 2025 decorated 14 (Fourteen) newly promoted officers of the Command in a brief but colorful ceremony held at the Police Headquarters, Awka. In the same event, the Commissioner of Police also unveiled the newly renovated Commissioner of Police Hall, a project graciously facilitated through the goodwill and benevolence of His Royal Highness Otonye Efebo PhD, (Shidi VII) the Amadabo of Shidi Ama Twon - Brass, Bayelsa State whose support reflects the enduring partnership between traditional institutions and the Nigeria Police Force in strengthening community-oriented policing. While congratulating the newly promoted officers, CP Orutugu urged them to see their elevation as a call to great...
NMA & Diatom Impact/Platform Capital donated sanitary pads to female prison inmates
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NMA & Diatom Impact/Platform Capital donated sanitary pads to female prison inmates

By Aderogba George The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) on Wednesday in Abuja said that it would commence monthly psychiatric evaluation for all prison inmates across the country. The Vice President 1 of the association, Dr Benjamin Olowojebutu, made this known during a visit to the Controller-General of Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), and to donate re-useable Sanitary Pads to all female prison inmates across the country. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the donation of the Sanitary Pads was done with the support of Diatom Impact/Platform Capital, a Nigerian based company who is also the manufacturer of the product. Olowojebutu said that as from November 2025, every inmate incountry will begin to have access to psychiatric tools, adding that the idea behin...
NASU urges FG to implement living wage policy amid inflation
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NASU urges FG to implement living wage policy amid inflation

By Joan Nwagwu The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has urged the Federal Government to adopt a living wage policy to cushion the impact of inflation on workers. NASU President, Mr Makolo Hassan, made the call on Wednesday in Abuja at the union’s two-day National Executive Council (NEC) meeting. Hassan said the hardship faced by Nigerian workers had reached alarming levels due to inflation and economic instability, adding that “our wages no longer reflect the realities of today’s economy.” ”The concept of a living wage, not just a minimum wage, has become imperative if workers were to live with dignity and remain productive. “The government must go beyond minimum wage. A living wage must be tied to inflation and cost-of-living indic...
Tinubu reverses Maryam Sanda’s pardon, to spend six years in jail
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Tinubu reverses Maryam Sanda’s pardon, to spend six years in jail

President Bola Tinubu has reversed his decision to grant presidential pardon to Maryam Sanda, sentenced to death in 2020 for killing her husband, Bilyaminu Bello.The reversal followed backlash that greeted the President's clemency.Maryam Sanda sentence now commuted to 12 years.This was revealed in an official gazette released by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday.According to the gazette, Sanda, who had already spent six years and eight months at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre, will now spend approximately six additional years in jail after getting an approved term on compassionate grounds.It read, “Maryam Sanda, whose offence was culpable homicide, sentenced on 27/01/2020 with death by hanging, has served six years an...
Nigeria upholds religious freedom, says FG
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Nigeria upholds religious freedom, says FG

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, affirmed that Nigeria upholds religious freedom, human rights, the rule of law, and democracy. Idris, speaking on CNN on Tuesday night, dismissed claims by foreign officials that terrorists in Nigeria exclusively targeted Christians. He described such assertions as misleading and unreflective of the nation’s complex security realities.This was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by the minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Malam Rabiu Ibrahim. According to the statement, the minister said the Bola Tinubu-led administration has renewed its focus on tackling Nigeria’s security challenges to ensure the safety and well-being of all citizens.Idris further emphasi...
CSO Alleges Brazen Land Grabbing and Abuse of Land Use Act by Colleen Mero Yesufu
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CSO Alleges Brazen Land Grabbing and Abuse of Land Use Act by Colleen Mero Yesufu

By Dominion Duke A civil society organisation under the banner of the National Advocacy for Justice and Truth (NAFJAT) has raised a clarion call, accusing estate agency owner Colleen Mero Yesufu of brazenly violating the 1978 Land Use Act through a campaign of alleged land grabbing. Speaking to journalists in Abuja, NAFJAT’s National Coordinator, Barr. Uthman Zango, described the leaked documents that supposedly expose Yesufu’s sprawling land acquisitions as a “stain on justice.” He expressed astonishment at how Yesufu could reportedly manipulate the Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS) to secure plots under multiple first names—an action that, if true, would strike at the heart of Nigeria’s land laws. *“In Katampe District,” Zango explained, *“File No. MISC/89XX/AGIS/2020 ...
Era Of Endless Court Battles Over, says Amupitan
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Era Of Endless Court Battles Over, says Amupitan

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, Monday gave assurance to end the culture of excessive pre-election litigations in the country. Nigeria electoral process has been marked with excessive pre-election litigation, which often times lead to emergence of leaders who did not stand for elections. Speaking at the 56th Annual National Conference of the Nigerian Association of Law Teachers, NALT, at the University of Abuja, Amupitan said one of his top priorities as INEC chairman was to “end the courtroom warfare” that often began long before ballots were cast. He said the electoral umpire would not continue to operate in a system where over 1,000 pre-election cases were recorded ahead of the 2023 general elections. “That is ...
IPMAN Praises Dangote’s Plan To Double Refinery Capacity, Highlights Benefits For Nigeria’s Energy Security
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IPMAN Praises Dangote’s Plan To Double Refinery Capacity, Highlights Benefits For Nigeria’s Energy Security

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has commended Aliko Dangote’s initiative to expand his petroleum refinery capacity from 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 1.4 million bpd. IPMAN National President, Chief Dr. Kolawole Adewoyin, in a press statement, described the planned expansion as a positive and strategic development that will significantly ease the persistent petroleum scarcity experienced across Nigeria. “The doubling of refinery capacity is a welcome move that will strengthen domestic petroleum supply, reduce dependence on imports, and stabilize fuel prices for Nigerians,” Adewoyin said. He emphasized that the expansion would enhance the country’s energy security, create jobs, and contribute to economic growth through increased local refining...
Strike: FG owes health workers N38bn allowances -NARD27th October 2025
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Strike: FG owes health workers N38bn allowances -NARD27th October 2025

The President of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, Dr. Muhammad Suleiman, on Monday said the Federal Government owes doctors and other health workers across the country an estimated N38bn in accumulated allowances. Suleiman said this during a press briefing in Abuja while presenting the resolutions of the Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting, which followed the expiration of NARD’s 30-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government. He warned that resident doctors have already begun ward rounds and patient-handover ahead of the planned nationwide total and indefinite strike, beginning Saturday, November 1, 2025. Suleiman explained that the outstanding payments are not limited to resident doctors but affect all cadres of health professionals, including admin...
Plan International, Warri Queen partner on girls’ empowerment
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Plan International, Warri Queen partner on girls’ empowerment

By Jacinta Nwachukwu Plan International Nigeria says it is partnering with Queen Atuwatse III of Warri Kingdom to advance children’s rights and promote gender equality through empowerment of girls in the Niger Delta zone. Country Director, Plan International Nigeria, Dr Charles Usie, stated this in a statement by Ms Munachi Okoro, Brand and Communications Manager of the organisation and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja. Usie said that the organisation had chosen the queen as First Ambassador for Girls in Nigeria. He explained that through the partnership, the queen, serving as “Plan International’s Ambassador for Girls in Nigeria”, would leverage her influence and platform to advocate for girls’ rights. “She will also support key campaig...
NOA commences e-Birth Registration, Social, Behaviour Change Campaign for FCT
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NOA commences e-Birth Registration, Social, Behaviour Change Campaign for FCT

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer The Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Directorate, Mrs Acharu Opaluwa says the agency has begun e-Birth Registration, Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) Campaign in the FCT. Opaluwa made this known at a news conference to mark the commencement of the campaign on Monday in Abuja. The conference with the theme, “Without a Birth Certificate, the Naming Ceremony is Not Complete” was organised in collaboration with National Population Commission (NPC), Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON-FCT), and UNICEF. According to Opaluwa, the initiative is designed to ensure that every child born in the FCT is registered and recognised as a citizen of Nigeria. “Birth registration is the first legal ackno...
Gov. Sule eulogies Dokpesi, NIPR over legacies, achievements
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Gov. Sule eulogies Dokpesi, NIPR over legacies, achievements

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer The governor of Nasarawa State,  Abdullahi Sule has eulogiesed the founder of DAAR Communications, Raymond Dokpesi and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) on their legacies, service to humanity and remarkable achievements. Sule gave the eulogy in his keynote address at the 2nd Raymond Aledgho Dokpesi  Annual Diamond Lecture in Abuja. The lecture with the theme, "Communication and Development" was put together by DAAR Communications, NIPR, University of Public Relations and Leadership and World Public Relations Forum. "Today, we are here to celebrate an icon of the media, a man who the history books refer to as being the first to establish a private establishment called independent radio station and later on the AIT. "At that ...
Cross River to Host Global Investment Summit in London, Targets Diaspora and Foreign Investors
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Cross River to Host Global Investment Summit in London, Targets Diaspora and Foreign Investors

By Victor Okoye The Cross River State Government will host an international investment summit in London from Nov. 17 to Nov.19, aimed at attracting global investors and engaging the diaspora in sustainable development. The summit, themed “Unlocking Opportunities and Driving Sustainable Growth with the People’s First Agenda of Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu”, will spotlight strategic sectors and investment-ready projects across the state. Hon. Ignatius Oli, Chairperson of the Central Planning Committee, Cross River State Diaspora Commission, disclosed this in a statement issued to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday. “We are positioning Cross River as a competitive investment destination in Nigeria and West Africa,” Oli said.“This summit is a strategic move to unlock ...
Applause as Ambassador Khadijah Jekhine Bags Transformational Leadership Award
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Applause as Ambassador Khadijah Jekhine Bags Transformational Leadership Award

By Genesis ogiri Abuja, Nigeria — In an event befitting a queen of industry and a paragon of excellence, Ambassador Khadijah Jekhine was conferred the Leadership and Impact Award by Highstone Global University, Texas, USA, during a grand ceremony at the prestigious Armed Forces Officers Mess, Asokoro, Abuja. The occasion drew a constellation of dignitaries, industry magnates, policymakers, and top management experts from across the nation and beyond, all gathered to celebrate a woman whose career embodies vision, empowerment, and transformative leadership. According to Highstone Global University, the award followed a carefully considered and meticulously evaluated selection process, grounded in verifiable performance, proven professional excellence, and tangible impact. Ambassador ...
Encomium Flows as Joan Faluyi Bags Honorary Doctorate from Highstone Global University, USA
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Encomium Flows as Joan Faluyi Bags Honorary Doctorate from Highstone Global University, USA

By Genesis ogiri In a momentous ceremony held at the illustrious Armed Forces Officers Mess, Asokoro, Abuja, Joan Faluyi was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Leadership and Strategic Management by Highstone Global University, Texas, USA. The occasion brought together distinguished stakeholders, top management experts, and industry leaders, with the spotlight shining brightly on her amidst a gathering of eminent Nigerian personalities. Dr. Joan Faluyi stands as a philosophist steward and a portrait of dignity and people-centered leadership. Her honorary doctorate from Highstone Global University, Texas, USA, celebrates a lifetime of exemplary service, ethical leadership, and transformative impact in the oil and gas sector. she was also specially decorated with a Lead...