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New Leaders Emerge for NAJUC Ikeja

New Leaders Emerge for NAJUC Ikeja

The Ikeja Branch of the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents (NAJUC), has elected new leaders who will run the group for the next two years. The swearing-in took place on Thursday, at the NAJUC Press Centre inside the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja. Journalists, court reporters, and invited guests were present to witness the peaceful handover of leadership. Mr Azeez Folorunso from Rulers’ World Magazine was elected Chairman, while Mrs Adenike Ayodele from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) became the General Secretary. Mr Stephen Aya of ThisDay newspaper, was elected Treasurer. All three were elected without any opposition, showing strong unity among members. A respected Lawyer/Journalist, Mr. Wahab Abdullahi, administered the oath of office. He advised the new team to lead with fairness, honesty, and a strong sense of duty. 

In his first speech as Chairman, Mr Folorunso thanked members for their trust. He promised to focus on teamwork, transparency, and training for members to make the Association stronger. Mrs Ayodele, the new General Secretary, also promised to ensure smooth coordination of the group’s activities, and to protect the interests of court reporters. 

The election took place during NAJUC’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), led by Mrs Kemi Fola-Adeyemo of TVC, who chaired the Caretaker Electoral Committee. She praised the smooth and peaceful election process. 

The new officers promised to carry out their duties responsibly, and to follow NAJUC’s rules as they begin their term.

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The Ikeja Branch of the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents (NAJUC), has elected new leaders who will run the group for the next two years. The swearing-in took place on

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AbdulRazaq Restates Commitment Towards  Strengthening Health System 

AbdulRazaq Restates Commitment Towards  Strengthening Health System 

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin 

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Monday restated the administration’s commitment to strengthening health systems through investments in health promotion, prevention care and community engagement.

He said the government has greatly invested in the renovation and equipping of many primary and secondary healthcare facilities in the state and will do more.

The governor spoke in Ilorin at the opening ceremony of the 27th Annual National Conference of Nigerian Association of Health Educators (NAHE), with the theme: ‘Dimensions and Adaptation to Health and Illness Behaviours; Repositioning Health Education in Nigeria Healthcare System.’

“Our administration is working round the clock to ensure that our health workers are well-trained, that our schools incorporate health education into their curriculum, and that our citizens are equipped to make healthier decisions,” the governor said while declaring the conference open.

“Our government has huge investments in health care services in the state. We have renovated and equipped our primary healthcare centres and maternities across the state.

“The secondary health care facilities are not left out. This is in addition to frequent recruitment of health care personnel across all cadres into our workforce. Salaries and wages including promotion of health care workers are regular and prompt.”

The governor was represented at the event by the Deputy Governor, Elder Kayode Alabi.

AbdulRazaq noted that the task of turning around the health sector requires a collective approach, soliciting for value partnerships with NAHE and other professional bodies. 

He commended the organizers for the conference, believing that the theme will stimulate rich conversations, innovative ideas, and practical solutions to the pressing health challenges Nigeria faces as a nation.

He also praised the health care workers for their brilliant performance at duties especially during and after COVID-19 outbreak in the state. 

“Twenty-seven years of consistent national conferencing is no small feat. It reflects your resilience, passion and unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of Nigerians,” he added.

“We are confident that the outcomes of this conference will inform policy, improve practice and contribute to the overall development of our people.”

The programme attracted senior government officials, including the Chairman Kwara Assembly Committee on Education, Hon Muhammad Baba Salihu; Hon. Joseph Bamigboye; Hon. Lawal Ayanshola; Hon. Mariam Yusuf Aladi; some local council chairmen such as Ekiti, Ifelodun, Asa and Ilorin South; Olupako of Share, Oba Olawale Haruna Ilufemiloye; Onira of Ira, Oba Abdulwahab Oyewole Oyetoro; Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Prof Wahab Egbewole (SAN); Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University of Education and Keynote Speaker, Prof. Bidemi Lafiagi-Okuneye; local government education secretaries; stakeholders and students in the healthcare sector.

Lafiagi-Okuneye, for her part, implored government at all levels to see health education not as an optional add-on or an ancillary service, but as a strategic imperative for sustainable national development.

She also called for an adequate investment in the sector, its full integration across relevant sectors, and provision of a robust, enabling policy environment for it to truly flourish.

“A healthy nation is indeed a wealthy nation, and effective health education is an unshakeable keystone of that foundation,” she said.

Earlier in his remarks, President of NAHE, Prof. Shehu Raheem Adaramaja, said the conference sought to understand the multi dimensional aspects of health and illness behaviours, adapt health education approaches to meet contemporary challenges, and strengthen the integration of health education into Nigeria’s healthcare system for better outcomes.

Adaramaja, who is the Chairman, Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), said despite the progress in the Nigerian healthcare system, the sector is still facing low health literacy and inadequate prioritization of preventive health education among other challenges.

He pointed out the need to continue to leverage technology, community engagement and policy advocacy towards seeing health education as a tool for behavioural change and sustainable health development.

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Hammed Shittu in Ilorin  Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Monday restated the administration’s commitment to strengthening health systems through investments in health promotion, prevention care and community engagement. He

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Ogun Kicks off Akute-Lambe-Agbado Road Reconstruction Project

Ogun Kicks off Akute-Lambe-Agbado Road Reconstruction Project

Succor is on the way for motorists plying the Akute-Lambe-Agbado road in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State as the contracting firm, Craneburg, has moved to the site to begin the reconstruction of the ever-busy road.

Soon, the people of the area will join millions of other residents of Ogun State in driving on motorable roads as part of the effort of the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration to make life easier for the populace through sustained infrastructure development across the state.

Craneburg has commenced the mobilization of heavy-duty equipment to the site. The execution of earthworks has also started across multiple sections of the road, and construction work proper is expected to begin immediately.

The strategic project, which will benefit several communities in the area, covers critical stretches and landmarks, including Akute Bridge, Oke Aro Stream, and Agbado Bridge, among others. When concluded, it will serve as a vital link between several densely populated communities in Ifo Local Government Area of the state.

Eyewitness reports from the site of the project revealed that road grading and leveling works are actively ongoing, while the roadbed is being shaped with SEM 920F Motor Graders and bulldozers.
Construction of drains and laybys is expected to commence soon.

“Excavators and dump trucks are moving in to deposit lateritic soil as part of the base preparation, with clear evidence of material layering to ensure durability,” an eyewitness added.

This road project is part of a broader effort by the Ogun State government to enhance infrastructure, improve transportation, and stimulate economic growth in the area. The project is also aimed at addressing long-standing infrastructure challenges and improving the overall quality of life for residents of Ifo Local Government Area and its environs.

Several road projects have been carried out in the area by the Dapo Abiodun-led administration, focusing on improved connectivity. These include the Akute-Ajuwon road in Ifo II State Constituency, Alagbole-Akute road, Akute-Ijoko-Oke Aro road, Sango-Ijoko-Akute road, and Denro-Ishashi-Oluwakemi road.

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Succor is on the way for motorists plying the Akute-Lambe-Agbado road in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State as the contracting firm, Craneburg, has moved to the site to

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FIRS Discusses Withholding Tax Regulation With Consultants, Professional Bodies, Compliance Experts

FIRS Discusses Withholding Tax Regulation With Consultants, Professional Bodies, Compliance Experts

*Reiterates commitment to collaboration

In furtherance of its reform-focused agenda and strategic shift toward voluntary compliance, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) recently convened a robust stakeholder forum involving tax consultants, professional bodies, and compliance experts to address the practical implementation of the 2024 Withholding Tax (WHT) Regulations.

The forum served as an open platform for professionals and advisers to engage directly with the Service, gain clarity on technical aspects of the new framework, and discuss opportunities to strengthen mutual accountability and shared understanding. The WHT reform represents a major step toward modernizing Nigeria’s tax environment and is part of the broader effort to make the system more transparent, efficient, and aligned with international standards.

Key sessions at the engagement addressed core features of the reform, including tax deduction obligations, exemptions, installment arrangements, and updated compliance protocols. The benefits of the revised regulation—particularly in easing the burden on smaller businesses and promoting consistency in deduction practices—were discussed in detail.

Tax consultants described the forum as timely and necessary, reaffirming the role of such engagements in bridging the gap between policy and practice. The Service encouraged practitioners to continue guiding their clients with professionalism and accuracy, while serving as critical feedback partners in future reforms.

Reinforcing the Service’s commitment, Collins Osagie Omokaro, Special Adviser on Communications and Advocacy to the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, explained that these engagements were aligned with the leadership’s vision of responsive tax administration. “The Executive Chairman has made it clear that effective tax administration must be built on dialogue and understanding. These forums provide us with an opportunity to offer clarity, listen to feedback, and work collaboratively with taxpayers to improve outcomes. That is how we build trust and ensure long-term compliance,” he stated.

The forum concluded with the recognition of top taxpayers who have demonstrated exemplary compliance and timely remittance—underscoring FIRS’s appreciation for transparency and civic responsibility.

As Nigeria advances toward a more modern and inclusive tax system, the FIRS continues to engage constructively with the professional community, promote taxpayer education, and reinforce its commitment to service excellence.

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*Reiterates commitment to collaboration In furtherance of its reform-focused agenda and strategic shift toward voluntary compliance, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) recently convened a robust stakeholder forum involving tax

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Inflation Drops to 22.97%

Inflation Drops to 22.97%

James Emejo in Abuja

The Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures the rate of change in prices of goods and services, eased to 22.97 per cent in May compared to 23.71 per cent in April, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said Monday.

Year-on-year, headline inflation stood at 10.98 per cent (rebased estimate May 2024) lower than 33.95 per cent (2009 base year).

According to the May CPI figures, food inflation stood at 21.14 per cent year-on-year in May compared to 40.66 per cent in May 2024.

The NBS, however, cautioned that, “The significant decline in the annual food inflation figure is technically due to the change in the base year.”

Month-on-month, the food index increased to 2.19 per cent from 2.06 per cent in April.

The NBS attributed the moderate increase to increase to the “rate of decrease in the average prices of yam, avenger (ogbono/apon), cassava tuber, maize flour, fresh pepper, sweet potatoes, among others.

On the other hand, core inflation, which excludes the prices of volatile agricultural produces and energy, stood at 22.28 per cent year-on-year in May compared to 27.04 per cent in May 2024.

Month-on-month, the core index dropped to 1.10 per cent in May compared to 1.34 per cent in April.

Details later…

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James Emejo in Abuja The Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures the rate of change in prices of goods and services, eased to 22.97 per cent in May compared to

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Lagos Flags-off 2025 BESS Contest 

Lagos Flags-off 2025 BESS Contest 

Esther Oluku 

The Lagos State  government Monday flagged off the 2025 Basic Education School Sports (BESS) competition, aimed at nurturing young talents and promoting  healthy rivalry among students.

Briefing journalists, the Commissioner for Secondary and Basic Education, Mr. Tolani Alli-Balogun, noted that over 370 athletes have arrived the camping facility in Lagos and are prepared to participate in the various sporting events.

With activities for the three-day long event spanning indoor and outdoor sports, he noted that the competition, beyond crowing winners, aims to build camaraderie in the students and serve as a platform for discovering new sports talents at the basic and secondary education level.

“The BESS competition is a celebration of teamwork and embodiment of discipline and sportsmanship. As such, I urge our young athletes to embrace this squarely, play, learn from one another and strive for excellence. I wish them the best of luck.

“We are going to have preliminaries of board games, which will commence from today to Wednesday, 18th June, at CMS Grammar School. The track and field events will be held same day, while the grand finale, football, will be held on June 19, at Yaba College of Technology. Over 370 young athletes will be participating.

“The safety of our pupils remains our top priority. We have implemented comprehensive safety measures and appointed qualified sports officials to supervise every event. The true spirit of this competition goes beyond winning,” the commissioner noted. “It’s about participation, camaraderie and nurturing a love for sports.”

He further emphasised that: “This year’s South-west BESS competition marks the second edition of the regional event, bringing together students from Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Oyo, and Ekiti States to participate in three days of sporting activities.”

On his part the Chairman, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, Mr. Akeem Shittu, said the event represents the commitment of the government to contribute to the wholesome development of children, adding that plans have been put in place to ensure maximum security of the students throughout the period of the competition. 

“This event is our commitment to nurture young talents and promote healthy competition by creating a platform for supporting the mental, physical, emotional and social development of our children,” Shittu stated.

Esther Oluku 

The Lagos State  government Monday flagged off the 2025 Basic Education School Sports (BESS) competition, aimed at nurturing young talents and promoting  healthy rivalry among students.

Briefing journalists, the Commissioner for Secondary and Basic Education, Mr. Tolani Alli-Balogun, noted that over 370 athletes have arrived the camping facility in Lagos and are prepared to participate in the various sporting events.

With activities for the three-day long event spanning indoor and outdoor sports, he noted that the competition, beyond crowing winners, aims to build camaraderie in the students and serve as a platform for discovering new sports talents at the basic and secondary education level.

“The BESS competition is a celebration of teamwork and embodiment of discipline and sportsmanship. As such, I urge our young athletes to embrace this squarely, play, learn from one another and strive for excellence. I wish them the best of luck.

“We are going to have preliminaries of board games, which will commence from today to Wednesday, 18th June, at CMS Grammar School. The track and field events will be held same day, while the grand finale, football, will be held on June 19, at Yaba College of Technology. Over 370 young athletes will be participating.

“The safety of our pupils remains our top priority. We have implemented comprehensive safety measures and appointed qualified sports officials to supervise every event. The true spirit of this competition goes beyond winning,” the commissioner noted. “It’s about participation, camaraderie and nurturing a love for sports.”

He further emphasised that: “This year’s South-west BESS competition marks the second edition of the regional event, bringing together students from Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Oyo, and Ekiti States to participate in three days of sporting activities.”

On his part the Chairman, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, Mr. Akeem Shittu, said the event represents the commitment of the government to contribute to the wholesome development of children, adding that plans have been put in place to ensure maximum security of the students throughout the period of the competition. 

“This event is our commitment to nurture young talents and promote healthy competition by creating a platform for supporting the mental, physical, emotional and social development of our children,” Shittu stated.

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Esther Oluku  The Lagos State  government Monday flagged off the 2025 Basic Education School Sports (BESS) competition, aimed at nurturing young talents and promoting  healthy rivalry among students. Briefing journalists,

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Tinubu Visits Benue Wednesday For On-the-spot Assessment Of Recurring Crisis 

Tinubu Visits Benue Wednesday For On-the-spot Assessment Of Recurring Crisis 

* Dispatches SGF, IGP, NSA, heads of intelligence agencies to state ahead of visit

.To hold court with stakeholders

* Shifts scheduled official visit to Kaduna from Wednesday to Thursday 

Deji Elumoye in Abuja 

President Bola Tinubu will on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 travel to Benue State as part of efforts to foster peace and address the persistent conflict affecting communities in the state. 

The president, initially billed to embark on an official visit to Kaduna State on Wednesday, has now rescheduled the state visit to Thursday.

According to a release issued on Monday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the president’s visit aims to assess firsthand the recurring crisis that has claimed numerous lives and caused significant destruction.

During his stay, President Tinubu will hold a town hall meeting with all stakeholders —including traditional rulers, political, religious, community leaders and youth groups — to seek lasting solutions to the hostilities.

In preparation for the visit, President Tinubu has already dispatched the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Inspector General of Police, heads of intelligence agencies, the National Security Adviser, and the Chairmen of the Senate and House Defence Committees to Benue State.

President Tinubu had previously condemned the ongoing violence in Benue State and called on all leaders and residents to embrace peace, love and mutual understanding. 

He also extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to all those who have suffered losses as a result of the crisis.

According to his itinerary released over the weekend, the president was scheduled to visit Kaduna State on Wednesday to inaugurate various state government projects. 

However, the official visit will now occur on Thursday, June 19, 2025.

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* Dispatches SGF, IGP, NSA, heads of intelligence agencies to state ahead of visit .To hold court with stakeholders * Shifts scheduled official visit to Kaduna from Wednesday to Thursday