Category: Latest News

The President of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, Williams Akporeha, on Wednesday, narrated a chilling account before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, detailing how he, alongside the union’s Secretary-General, Wale Afolabi, and the newly elected National Chairman of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (branch, Augustine Egbon, were violently attacked
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The President of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, Williams Akporeha, on Wednesday, narrated a chilling account before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, detailing how he, alongside the union’s Secretary-General, Wale Afolabi, and the newly elected National Chairman of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (branch, Augustine Egbon, were violently attacked

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The Independent National Electoral Commission on Wednesday said it would commence the issuance of Permanent Voter Cards in the state on Thursday and would be available for collection in its 18 local government offices in the state. The commission also urged media organisations to collaborate with it in ensuring the smooth conduct of the poll,
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The Independent National Electoral Commission on Wednesday said it would commence the issuance of Permanent Voter Cards in the state on Thursday and would be available for collection in its 18 local government offices in the state. The commission also urged media organisations to collaborate with it in ensuring the smooth conduct of the poll,

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Apostle Johnson Suleman, Senior Pastor and General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, has responded to Nollywood actress Halima Abubakar’s public apology for her defamatory comments, asserting that forgiveness does not equate to memory loss. In a terse statement on X.com on Wednesday, Suleman said, “You all stop calling my phone. Forgiveness is not memory
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Apostle Johnson Suleman, Senior Pastor and General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, has responded to Nollywood actress Halima Abubakar’s public apology for her defamatory comments, asserting that forgiveness does not equate to memory loss. In a terse statement on X.com on Wednesday, Suleman said, “You all stop calling my phone. Forgiveness is not memory

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President Bola Tinubu has appointed seven new ministers to his cabinet. The appointment was announced in a statement issued by the presidency following the federal executive council meeting on Wednesday. Bianca  Odumegwu-Ojukwu was appointed as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, while Jumoke Oduwole was named Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment. Five other individuals
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President Bola Tinubu has appointed seven new ministers to his cabinet. The appointment was announced in a statement issued by the presidency following the federal executive council meeting on Wednesday. Bianca  Odumegwu-Ojukwu was appointed as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, while Jumoke Oduwole was named Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment. Five other individuals

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The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency has ranked Agege and Surulere Local Government Areas as the most hazardous and very unhealthy areas for air quality in the state. This was revealed in LASEPA’s Air Quality Index report for October 2024, which was shared on its verified X page on Tuesday. According to the report, Agege
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The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency has ranked Agege and Surulere Local Government Areas as the most hazardous and very unhealthy areas for air quality in the state. This was revealed in LASEPA’s Air Quality Index report for October 2024, which was shared on its verified X page on Tuesday. According to the report, Agege

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The Niger State House of Assembly has called on the state government to as a matter of urgency employ qualified medical doctors, or engage the services of retired doctors on contract basis to provide health care services. The House reached the resolution following a motion on ‘Matter of Urgent Public Importance urging the Executive Arm
Niger Assembly asks govt to employ doctors to stop untimely deaths

The Niger State House of Assembly has called on the state government to as a matter of urgency employ qualified medical doctors, or engage the services of retired doctors on contract basis to provide health care services.

The House reached the resolution following a motion on ‘Matter of Urgent Public Importance urging the Executive Arm of Niger State Government to as a matter of Urgency Provide doctors in Kontagora General Hospital’.

The motion was moved by Sani Umar, the member representing Kontagora 1 Constituency, during plenary on Wednesday.

The lawmaker told the House the employment of medical doctors will arrest the rate of untimely death in the Kontagora area of the state.

He said, “Good health is indeed wealth. I want to inform the House that Kontagora General Hospital currently does not have a qualified doctor to provide life saving procedures on several patients needing medical assistance.

“Sometimes up to five patients die per day.

“With the current economic realities facing the country, most families cannot afford to patronize private clinics and hence rely on medical services provided by public medical centers.”

Umar further noted that as representatives of the people, it is their responsibility to speak up and seek for life saving decisions for the benefit of their people.

He added that Kontagora General Hospital is the only government-owned hospital that serves about four LGAs which include Rijau, Magama, Mariga, and Kontagora.

Niger Assembly asks govt to employ doctors to stop untimely deaths

The Ogun State Government on Wednesday urged residents of flooded areas and communities across the state to relocate immediately, just as they had been advised about four months ago. Some of the communities affected by the recent release of water from Oyan Dam include Isheri, Riverview Estate, Oshorun Estate, OPIC Estate, Arepo, Mawere, Akute, Alagbole,
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The Ogun State Government on Wednesday urged residents of flooded areas and communities across the state to relocate immediately, just as they had been advised about four months ago. Some of the communities affected by the recent release of water from Oyan Dam include Isheri, Riverview Estate, Oshorun Estate, OPIC Estate, Arepo, Mawere, Akute, Alagbole,

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Twenty-eight civil society organizations, (CSOs) in the Niger Delta region have demanded explanation over reports suggesting that the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, has been cleared by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The groups particularly called for clarification on the reported findings, emphasizing that such claims could
Groups demand explanation on EFCC’s alleged clearance of ex-minister Betta Edu

Twenty-eight civil society organizations, (CSOs) in the Niger Delta region have demanded explanation over reports suggesting that the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, has been cleared by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The groups particularly called for clarification on the reported findings, emphasizing that such claims could undermine the reputation of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which has pledged to combat corruption.

In a statement signed by their spokesperson, Comrade Emmanuel Gabriel Abela, and released on Wednesday, they raised questions about the credibility of the EFCC’s decision, particularly regarding allegations surrounding the approval of flight fares for Ministry staff traveling to Kogi State -an area that reportedly lacks an operational airport.

The statement read, “Edu was suspended in January amid serious allegations of misappropriating approximately N585 million. This decision prompted scrutiny of her management of ministry resources, especially concerning programs designed to alleviate poverty.

“Despite the severity of these allegations, we have received reports that the EFCC has cleared Dr. Edu of any wrongdoing. However, the rationale behind this decision remains unclear, prompting our demand for transparency and a public explanation regarding the grounds for her clearance.

“One critical aspect of the allegations involves the approval of travel expenses for ministry staff to a region without an airport. If Dr. Edu was indeed cleared, it raises urgent questions about the justification for such expenditures, especially given the ministry’s mandate to support vulnerable populations and manage resources effectively.

“If funds were mis-allocated in this instance, it would undermine the ministry’s objectives and raise serious concerns about Edu’s financial oversight.”

The groups reiterated that their concerns stem solely from the allegations of corruption, not personal grievances against Edu and therefore, called for a thorough public explanation from the EFCC regarding the evidence or rationale that led to her clearance.

“Without transparency, the credibility of the EFCC’s findings and the administration’s commitment to integrity are at risk. The Nigerian public deserves clarity on these serious allegations to foster trust in both the government and its institutions.

“Any failure to provide this transparency will not be tolerated, and we are prepared to mobilize protests nationwide to hold the government and the EFCC accountable.”

Groups demand explanation on EFCC’s alleged clearance of ex-minister Betta Edu

The Federal Government announced plans on Wednesday to reposition dams across the country, revealing that siltation has significantly reduced the water volume in the Ogwashi-Uku Dam, Delta State. This was disclosed by the Deputy Director and Geotechnical Divisional Head, Dams Department, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Abiola Oluwatosin, during an inspection of the
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The Federal Government announced plans on Wednesday to reposition dams across the country, revealing that siltation has significantly reduced the water volume in the Ogwashi-Uku Dam, Delta State. This was disclosed by the Deputy Director and Geotechnical Divisional Head, Dams Department, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Abiola Oluwatosin, during an inspection of the

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Concerned over the delay in announcing the commencement of pilgrims’ registration for the 2025 Hajj by some States’ Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards and Agencies, a faith-based Civil Society Organization, CSO, that reports and monitors Hajj and Umrah activities, the Independent Hajj Reporters, (IHR), has called on state governors to give priority to the pilgrimage issues
CSO tasks govs on registration of pilgrims for 2025 Hajj

Concerned over the delay in announcing the commencement of pilgrims’ registration for the 2025 Hajj by some States’ Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards and Agencies, a faith-based Civil Society Organization, CSO, that reports and monitors Hajj and Umrah activities, the Independent Hajj Reporters, (IHR),
has called on state governors to give priority to the pilgrimage issues in their respective states.

The CSO, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Mohammed on Wednesday expressed concern that some states are yet to start registration even when they are expected to remit the first tranche of pilgrims’ deposits to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, starting from October 2, in accordance to the commission’s 2025 Hajj calendar for onward transfer to the Saudi-based service providers to pay for Tent spaces in Mina.

“As at the time of penning this press statement, Niger, Sokoto and Borno States are yet to kick start the registration exercise despite having received the directive from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) in August for states to begin registration.

“We are aware that some Executive Secretaries of Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards are yet to submit the 2024 Hajj reports to their Governors and as a result of which they are yet to get approval to start pilgrims’ registration from their Chief Executives,” the group stated.

It went further: “That the State’s Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards will need a separate approval from state governors to start pilgrims’ registration even after being given permission by the apex hajj regulatory body is a peculiar federating procedural headache for Hajj Industry that requires immediate solutions.”

“It is necessary to note that the Saudi Ministry of Hajj had on 23rd October began allocating tent spaces to Hajj participating countries that had made payments.

“Any Executive Secretary of State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board who has not submitted their 2024 Hajj report four months after 2024 Hajj should be removed and replaced with a more competent person.”

The CSO reminded the state governors that the delay in starting pilgrims’ registration by States Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards is the underlying cause of poor services being experienced by Nigerian pilgrims yearly in Saudi Arabia.

“Late registration gives birth to late remittances of pilgrims’ registration fund to NAHCON, which affects the commission’s inability to make payments to Saudi-based service providers as at when due to enable them to make adequate preparations to provide efficient services to our dear pilgrims.

“State administrative bureaucracies are causing serious disruptions to the implementation of the Hajj calendar and something needs to be done to tinker with the NAHCON Establishment Act, 2006, to allow pilgrims from states to start early registration without having to wait for the approval of state chief executives.

“Hajj is a global affair in which over 162 participating countries are expected to implement a uniform calendar released yearly as released by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj to serve as a guiding map for pre-Hajj preparations,” IHR noted.

CSO tasks govs on registration of pilgrims for 2025 Hajj