Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

President Bola Tinubu has celebrated the President of the 10th Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on his 61st birthday. This is contained in a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, on Friday in Abuja. He described Akpabio as a political leader whose antecedents and achievements continued to attract recognition at home and abroad. Tinubu affirmed the outstanding leadership qualities of the former Governor of Akwa Ibom and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, who became a Governor at 45 after serving as a Commissioner in three different ministries. He appreciated the loyalty, dedication, and commitment…

The Federal Government has revealed its intention to close down public buildings that fail to adhere to the minimum standards of accessibility for Persons with Disabilities starting from January 17. The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, James Lalu, made this announcement during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday. The decision comes as part of the activities for the sixteenth day of activism in commemoration of the 2023 International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Lalu clarified that the commission would take immediate action following the expiration of the five-year ultimatum set by the federal government, which…

The Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani has declared that the recent accidental bombing of Tudun Biri village by the Nigerian Army has no link with ethnic or religious cleansing. The Governor made the declaration on Friday while speaking during an interview on Channels Television. He assured that his administration is working with the people of the state to ensure religious and ethnic harmony. “Let me make it clear (that) in Kaduna State, we don’t have any religious or ethnic differences,” Governor Sani said. “At the beginning, a lot of people particularly the religious and ethnic merchants, I’m not surprised if some…

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation in Ondo State, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, has stated that Governor Rotimi Akeredolu will not resign due to his health issues, as he is not incapacitated. In an interview on Arise TV, the commissioner emphasized that Governor Akeredolu continues to fulfill his responsibilities, despite not attending social events. She confirmed he has been managing official duties, reviewing memos, and staying in contact with his cabinet. The governor’s health has been a topic of public concern, particularly since he has been residing in Ibadan, Oyo State, following his return from a medical trip to Germany in September 2023.…

The draw for next summer’s Copa America has placed tournament host United States in a group with the competition’s joint all-time champion Uruguay, while fellow Concacaf invitee Mexico will face Ecuador. Current titleholder and defending champion Argentina – tied with Uruguay for the most Copa titles of all time – is set for a clash against two-time winner Peru in the group stage, and in the fourth group, nine-time winner Brazil will take on 2021 third-place finisher Colombia. CONMEBOL’s Copa America will have 16 teams, including six Concacaf invitees: 2023-24 Nations League semifinalist Mexico, the U.S., Jamaica and Panama, as well as the two winners of play-in games (Canada vs. Trinidad and Tobago, Costa Rica vs. Honduras) that…

The Director General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, says the agency rescued and received 21,181 victims of human trafficking In the last 20 years. She made this disclosure when she appeared before the Senate Committee on Social Duties to defend the 2024 budget. She stated that the agency would endeavour to assist victims for as long as they needed it, stressing that the procedure would take time and money. She explained that NAPTIP assists victims with legal, medical, rehabilitative, and reintegration services. Waziri-Azi stated that in 2022, “NAPTIP rescued and received 2,…

The ECOWAS Court of Justice has dismissed a request by the Republic of Niger for the Court to suspend sanctions imposed by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government on Niger.  The request for interim measures is part of a broader case brought by the Republic of Niger and seven other applicants challenging the legality of sanctions imposed by ECOWAS following a military coup in the West African country in July 2023 that overthrew the government of President Mohammed Bazoum. In the ruling delivered by Justice Edward Amoako Asante, the Court acknowledged that it has prima facie jurisdiction…

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has declined the request by the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, to suspend the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Adepele Ojo. In a statement on Thursday by the Director of Information, NJC, Adesoji Oye, the council said it would not work with the resolution of the state House of Assembly, which constituted a panel to probe the Chief Judge. Oye said, “The council considered and declined the request of Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State requesting its permission to swear in the next most senior judge in the state in an acting capacity, following…

President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, in Abuja expressed optimism about the prospects of increased investments from Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), emphasizing Nigeria’s long-term relationship with the company, which discovered the first commercial oil field at Oloibiri in the Niger Delta in 1956. Receiving the management of Shell Group, led by its Global Integrated Gas and Upstream Director, Ms. Zoe Yujnovich, the President said his administration will continue to ensure the security and viability of existing and new investments in the country. “We have made progress since our last meeting. I will continue to support and encourage you…

The Federal Government has announced its plan to construct houses, hospitals and schools in Tudun Biri village in the Igabi local government area of Kaduna State following the military misfire that claimed hundreds of lives in the state.   Vice President, Kashim Shettima, made this disclosure while visiting some of the survivors and family of the victims of the drone misfire on Thursday. According to the vice president, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has instructed the initiation of the Pullako Initiative in Kaduna State. This comprehensive effort in the Tudun Biri community includes homes, clinics, schools, veterinary services, empowerment programs, and…

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has urged members of the Advertising and Integrated Marketing Communication industry, to actively engage in sensitizing Nigerians on the transformative economic reforms initiated by the Tinubu administration, which aimed at engendering economic growth and fostering a prosperous nation. Idris, made the call in Abuja on Thursday while declaring open the National Advertising Conference with the theme “Marketing Communications As An Enabler of National Transformation.” The Minister, who was represented by the Director General of the National Orientation Agency, Mr. Lanra Issa-Onilu, acknowledged the indispensable role being played by the advertising. Integrated marketing…

Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on social media, Dada Olusegun, has debunked the report that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has threatened to delist money transfer banks, including Opay, Kuda, Moniepoints, from transfer channel. The Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), in the directive to banks, noted that having these non-deposit-taking financial institutions, such as Switching Companies, Payment Solution Service Providers, and Super Agents as beneficiary institutions on the bank’s NIP funds transfer channels contravenes the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) guidelines on electronic payment. The directive cautioned that while switches, PSSPs, and SAs may process outward transfers as inflows…