An 18-year-old girl, Habibat Akinsanya, who had been reported missing, was discovered dead on her father’s farm in Obasa, Mile 6, along Ajebo Road, in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State. PUNCH Online learnt on Monday that the victim was discovered dead on Sunday, bearing multiple machete wounds to her head and other parts of her body, with her hands bound behind her back. According to reliable police sources, the victim was sexually assaulted before being murdered, as our correspondent was informed. A police source, who wished to remain anonymous…
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A Stellar Half Year: Zenith Bank maintains leadership in profitability, triple digit growth
Zenith Bank Plc has announced its audited results for the half-year ended 30 June 2024, recording an impressive triple-digit growth of 117% in gross earnings from N967.3 billion reported in H1 2023 to N2.1trillion in H1 2024.This superior performance has been achieved even as the Nigerian banking industry navigates a challenging macro environment. According to the bank’s audited half-year financial results presented to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) on Friday, 30thAugust 2024,the triple-digit growthin the top line also drove growth in the bottom line as the Group recorded a 108% Year…
Read MoreNFF names German tactician, Labbadia as Super Eagles coach
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has reached an agreement with German tactician, Bruno Labbadia to take charge of the Super Eagles. Secretary General of the NFF, Mohammed Sanusi made the announcement on Tuesday morning. “The NFF Executive Committee has approved the recommendation of its Technical and Development Sub-Committee to appoint Mr. Bruno Labbadia as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles. The appointment is with immediate effect,” Sanusi said. Born in Darmstadt, Germany on 8th February 1966, Labbadia, won two caps for Die Mannschaft. The tactician coached famous names, Hertha…
Read MoreWhy we arrested PIDOMNigeria -Police
The Nigeria Police Force has said the officials from the National Cybercrime Center arrested one Bristol Tamunobiefiri, also known as PIDOM, for allegedly undermining the integrity of government operations. Tamunobiefiri operates as an anonymous whistleblower on X.com, 99% Oppressed, and tweets as #PIDOMNIGERIA. The police said PIDOMNigeria was arrested on August 5 in his hotel room in Rivers State. On Thursday, David Hundeyin reported PIDOMNigeria had been missing since August 5 after an associate of PIDOM contacted him. Hundeyin’s comment generated a massive outcry on social media, with a campaign…
Read MoreTinubu names new DGs for NIA, DSS
The President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved the appointment of new Directors-General of the National Intelligence Agency, NIA, and the Department of State Services, DSS. Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed was named the new Director-General of the NIA while Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi is the new Director-General of the DSS. This was disclosed in a statement by Tinubu’s spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale. The statement reads: “Ambassador Mohammed has had an illustrious career in the foreign service since joining the NIA in 1995. He had served in various roles, culminating in his promotion to…
Read MoreSoyinka arrested, released by DSS at Lagos Airport by DSS
Nigerian journalist, Adejuwon Soyinka, has been released from the Department of State Security (DSS) custody. The former BBC Pidgin Editor is The Conversation Africa’s Regional Editor. He was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, shortly after arriving from the United Kingdom early Sunday morning. The spokesperson of the DSS, Peter Afunanya, confirmed that Soyinka was arrested at the request of another law enforcement agency. “I have just been released by the DSS in Lagos. They are holding on to my passport”, Soyinka said. While Soyinka’s travel passport…
Read MoreThis is your last show, Abuja Police boss bans Shiite procession after killing two officers
Benneth Igweh, the Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory, has expressed displeasure over the killing of two of his operatives during a procession by members of the proscribed Islamic Movement in Nigeria popularly known as Shiites. The Abuja Police chief also described as “provocative” the actions of the group who attacked security operatives and left two other policewomen who were critically injured during the melee that occurred in the nation’s capital, Abuja, on Sunday. A trader was reportedly shot dead, while two police officers were killed in the…
Read MoreFive banks to battle hackers with N222bn
Financial institutions that have started raising capital have stated that they will allocate $1.20bn from the proceeds to invest in technology and bolster their cybersecurity infrastructure. This was indicated in the offer prospectus of five lenders that have commenced their capital raise, to meet the new capital requirement of the Central Bank of Nigeria. In late March, the CBN announced new capital requirements for the banks operating in the country. The apex bank directed commercial banks with international authorisation to increase their capital base to N500bn, national banks to N200bn…
Read MoreBandits kill 74yr-old abducted Sokoto monarch
The District Head of Gatawa in Sokoto State, Isa Muhammad Bawa, who was abducted alongside his son and brother 25 days ago, has reportedly died in captivity. Multiple sources confirmed the development to our correspondent on Wednesday A resident of Gatawa, Mahe Mukhtar, said the death was confirmed by the office of the deceased and there was a condolence message from the member representing Isa-Sabon Birni federal constituency on the death. Cousin of the victim, who is the Magajin Garin Sabon Birni, Shuaibu Gwanda Gobir, also confirmed his death to…
Read MoreKwankwaso, Kano Gov.’s CoS named in Nmulti procurement fraud
The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) has launched investigations into allegations of a multi-million naira procurement fraud, as well as a case of alleged mismanagement of federal government palliatives. Among those expected to be questioned over the alleged scams are Musa Garba Kwankwaso, a nephew of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and the Chief of Staff (CoS) to the Governor, Shehu Wada Sagagi. Musa Kwankwaso, who is closely related to the New Nigeria People’s Party’s (NNPP) presidential candidate and the political godfather of Kano State Governor Abba Kabir…
Read MoreAppeal court sacks Omobayo Godwin as Edo deputy gov., reinstate Shaibu
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Tuesday, affirmed the lower court judgment reinstating Philip Shaibu as the Deputy Governor of Edo State. The appellate court, while delivering judgment in the appeal brought before it by the Edo State House of Assembly, dismissed the appeal seeking to uphold Shaibu’s impeachment. Shaibu was impeached on April 8, 2024, following the adoption of the report of a seven-man committee set up by the state Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, to investigate allegations of misconduct against him. The House Majority Leader, Charity…
Read MoreTinubu sacks Arabi as NAHCON chairman, names replacement
President Bola Tinubu has relieved Jalal Arabi of his appointment as Executive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). Ajuri Ngelale, Presidential spokesman, disclosed this in a statement in which he announced Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman as the new Chairman of the agency. “Professor Usman is a renowned scholar with qualifications from two Islamic centres of excellence — the University of Madinah and Peshawar University, Pakistan. “He is also well-grounded in Hajj operations, having served as the Chairman of Kano State Pilgrims Board, and successfully superintended the operations…
Read MorePolice invite NLC boss, Ajaero for interrogation for terrorism financing, treason
The Nigeria Police Force has summoned Joe Ajaero, the National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, for questioning over allegations of terrorism financing, cybercrime, and other related offences. The invitation letter, signed by ACP Adamu Muazu on behalf of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Response Team, warned that a warrant of arrest would be issued if Ajaero fails to comply. The letter reads: “This office is investigating a case of Criminal Conspiracy, Terrorism Financing, Treasonable Felony, Subversion, and Cybercrime in which you have been implicated. “You are therefore required…
Read MoreAgain ASUU planning another nationwide strike
The Academic Staff Union of Universities has informed the Federal Government of its plans to embark on a nationwide strike by placing the government on a 21-day notice. Sources within the National Executive Council of ASUU confirmed the development to The PUNCH correspondent in Abuja on Monday. The notice was issued at the end of the NEC meeting, which was held at the University of Ibadan, and a copy is expected to be transmitted to the Federal Ministries of Labour and Education. “It is not an ultimatum but a strike…
Read MoreFG set October 1 for naira crude sale to Dangote refineries, others
The Federal Government has disclosed that sales of crude oil to Dangote Refinery and other local refineries will commence October 1, 2024. The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, made the announcement during a meeting with the Implementation Committee on Monday in Abuja. According to a post on the official X (formerly Twitter) page of the finance ministry, the meeting was to review progress on key initiatives. At the meeting, key roles were outlined for stakeholders, including the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority,…
Read MoreNigerian Govt. unveils new Presidential jet
The Presidency, on Monday, unveiled the new Airbus A330 purchased for the President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, released the pictures of the presidential jet via his verified X handle on Monday. The presidential aide stated that the new jet replaces the 19-year-old Boeing B737-700(BBJ) bought during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Onanuga, however, did not reveal the amount spent by the Nigerian government to acquire the new presidential jet. According to Onanuga, the new jet saved…
Read MoreFirstBank marks annual corporate responsibility, sustainability week
FirstBank, the West African premier financial institution and financial inclusion services provider is proud to announce its 2024 Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability (CR&S) Week, scheduled for 19 to 24 August. This year’s edition aims to reinforce the bank’s positive outcomes of sowing seeds of kindness by empowering the lives of communities, and minimizing the environmental impact environment, while advancing the Bank’s contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The CR&S Week is a dedicated week that offers opportunities for employees of the FirstBank Group (FirstBank Nigeria, FirstBank UK, FirstBank Gambia,…
Read MoreIf you have no government business at UNGA, don’t follow me to US, Tinubu warns officials
The President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has issued a directive that only government officials assigned official responsibilities at the forthcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meetings in New York would be allowed into his delegation. This is an effort to curtail excesses and reduce the size of Nigeria’s official delegation to the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly meetings holding in New York, United States, this September. Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, revealed the directive on Saturday in Abuja during a one-day retreat organised by the State…
Read MoreOgun Free Trade Zone Dispute With Chinese Company: My story by Ibilunle Amosun, former Ogun state governor
Senator Ibikunle Amosun, the former Governor of Ogun State, in whose tenure the current crisis embattling Nigeria’s Federal Government and a Chinese company Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited resulting from a dispute over the Ogun Free Trade Zone occurred has stated his side of the story. Amosun has come out to say he will not allow the Chinese company, to scam Nigeria even as the contract dispute between the Ogun State Government and the Chinese company has led to the seizure of three Nigerian presidential aircrafts. The dispute reportedly…
Read MoreNYSC to prosecute 54 demoblised fake corpers, says Calabar varsity enlisted Illiterate bread seller enlisted for national service
Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, the Director General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has said that 54 corps members from University of Calabar (UNICAL) have been demobilised and will be prosecuted by the NYSC management. Ahmed, also revealed that one of the “graduates” fraudulently mobilised for the scheme by the University is a bread seller who did not attend the institution. Ahmed according to a statement by the Director, Information and Public Relations of the service, Eddy Megwa, vowed that all illegally mobilised corps members from the university would be prosecuted.…
Read MoreNotorious bandit’s female arms courier nabbed on Abuja-Kaduna expressway, another kidnapper arrested in Kaduna village
Operatives of the Special Tactical Squad of the Nigerian Police Force have arrested a 30-year-old woman identified as Hauwa Yusuf for hiding one AK47 and four AK magazines inside a sack of garri. She was arrested along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway during a stop-and-search operation. The Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi disclosed this while parading suspects at the STS Headquarters in Abuja on Friday. Adejobi added that Yusuf confessed that a notorious Bandit terrorising Katsina State, Aminu Basullube, sent her to take delivery of the arms in the Danum Madam Camp, area…
Read MoreGen. Diya’s younger brother, Wole is dead
Wole Diya, younger brother of late Nigeria’s former Chief of General Staff, Oladipo Diya and a former member of the House of Representatives (Somolu Federal Constituency), died a few days before his 64th birthday. Aged 63, Diya, a two-term representative of Somolu Federal Constituency in the Green Chamber, died early Friday, August 9th, 2024. He died a few days before his 64th birthday which is expected to come up on Tuesday, August 20th, 2024. The late Wole Diya was also a two-term member of the Lagos State House of Assembly,…
Read MoreAduke Gold’s family breaks silence, says she died of cervical cancer
The family of the late gospel singer, Aduke Gold, has clarified the circumstances surrounding her passing, refuting rumours that she died during fibroid surgery. The deceased’s brother, Pastor Ajayi Aderogbo, stated that Aduke Gold succumbed to cervical cancer, as confirmed by the death certificate from University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan. In a viral video, Pastor Aderogbo urged the public to verify the information before spreading rumours, stressing that his sister’s death was due to her battle with cervical cancer. “Whoever is saying what is not should stop it, our…
Read MoreWhy we postponed Lagos/Ogun Int’l Trade Fair –Planning Group
Organisers of the Lagos/Ogun Multi-Sector International Trade Fair have announced a new date for the trade show. The event earlier slated for August 15-17, 2024 has been shifted to April 16-19, 2025 while the venue remains the OPIC Event Centre, in Isheri at the boundary between Lagos and Ogun States. According to Olajide Ige, the team lead of the project’s planning group, the ongoing efforts to get onboard our host states and its positive effects on the fair necessitated the shift in dates so as to put in place structures…
Read MoreCJN: NJC names Kekere-Ekun as Ariwoola’s successor, appoints 28 other judges
The National Judicial Council has recommended Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun to be the next Chief Justice of Nigeria. The recommendation was made in its 106th meeting, which was presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who recommended Justice Kekere-Ekun, to President Bola Tinubu, for appointment as the next CJN on Thursday in Abuja. This was contained in a statement by the NJC director of information, Soji Oye. He said, “This is imperative as Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, will formally bow out of office as the Hon. Chief…
Read MoreMinister seeks accurate reporting of events in Nigeria by foreign media
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called on international media organisations to move away from what he described as negative in their coverage of Nigeria. The minister, while meeting with a delegation from the British Broadcasting Corporation in Abuja on Thursday, challenged the global media to adopt a more accurate, balanced, and fair approach to reporting on the country. “There are not only bad things coming out of Nigeria,” he said in a statement signed by his media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim, while stressing that the country…
Read MoreGov. Abiodun hails location of Customs N73bn Zonal office in Ogun
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Thursday, said the location of the proposed N73bn Zonal Office and Training School of the Nigeria Customs Service at the Gateway Agro-Cargo International Airport would serve as an avenue to improve the status of the state as the industrial hub of the nation. The project, Abiodun said would also help the proposed Kajola Inland Dry Port and the Olokola Seaport, which he said would soon come on stream. He stated this when he and the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr Adewale…
Read MoreEFCC secures court order to forfeit additional $2.04m, seven property linked to Emefiele
A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the interim forfeiture of $2.04m and seven property connected to a former- Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele. Justice Akintayo Aluko made the order on Thurday following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which is investigating alleged fraudulent activities linked to Emefiele. The property in question include prime real estate in Lekki and Ikoyi, Lagos, as well as a large industrial complex under construction in Agbor, Delta State. Aluko stated that the interim forfeiture was necessary to prevent…
Read MoreMy house in Maiduguri, better than Tinubu’s house in Bourdillon -VeePee Shettima
Kashim Shettima, Nigeria’s Vice-President has described his bossman, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a modest person who does not believe in extravagance. Shettima made this revelation at a book launch in Abuja, on Thursday. The Vice-President reportedly said Tinubu is preoccupied with changing the country’s fortunes for the better. Shettima, who said his house in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, is better than Tinubu’s house in Bourdillon, Ikoyi, Lagos, narrated an encounter when the president opted for garri and groundnut. At the same time, guests at his house were served various…
Read MoreNaira Crude Oil Sales: Finance Minister, Wale Edun meets Lokpobiri, Kyari, NNPCL
The Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, has met with key stakeholders in the oil and gas industry, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), to sell crude oil to local refineries in naira. Those in attendance included the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Dr Zacch Adedeji, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Lydia Jafiya. Disclosing this in a post on…
Read MoreMOMAS advocates supportive policies for local manufacturers
Momas Meter Manufacturing Company has urged the Federal Government to implement policies that would enhance business opportunities for indigenous manufacturers. The company’s Head of Human Resources, Mrs. Jumoke Aladekomo, made this appeal during a meeting with the Planning Group of the Lagos/Ogun Multi-Sector Trade Fair. On a courtesy call, the group visited the company’s head office in Orimerunmu along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway. Mrs. Aladekomo highlighted that unfavourable government policies are hindering investments across various sectors of the economy. She called on the Federal Government to establish policies that prioritize local…
Read More12 burnt to death in Lagos/Ibadan expressway road crash
At least 12 passengers were reportedly burnt to death in a road crash along Lagos-Ibadan expressway on Tuesday. Daily Trust gathered that lone crash involving a white Mazda bus marked DDA733XA, occurred at 3:14pm around Ogere axis of the highway. Spokesperson of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Florence Okpe, confirmed the incident in a statement made available to newsmen in Abeokuta. Okpe explained that the bus driver had overtaken another vehicle, leading to loss of control as the bus crashed into the road divider. Okpe noted that the crash involved…
Read MoreNigeria’s telecom industry may collapse, ALTON, MTN bosses, ring alarm bells
Karl Toriola, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN has warned that the Nigerian Telecoms industry may collapse if urgent steps are not taken and that the situation is so bad that it could be likened to an intensive care unit. Toriola’s views were corroborated by Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON)/ Toriola spoke on Tuesday in Lagos at a virtual telecom investment forum organised by Financial Derivatives Company (FDC). He pointed out the severe sustainability challenges currently faced by telecom operators across the…
Read MoreLagos drug czar, Temo gets additional 14-day remand
The Federal High Court in Lagos has further remanded the alleged drug lord, Sulaimon Jimoh, also known as “Olowo Idi Ogede” or “Temo,” for an additional 14 days in the custody of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. Justice Akintayo Aluko extended Temo’s remand while granting an ex parte motion filed by the NDLEA. The order was made on Friday after the NDLEA prosecution counsel, Lambert Nor, argued the ex parte motion for an extension to remand the defendant. Aluko extended the remand order after hearing the arguments and reviewing…
Read MoreWhy we reduced stake in Dangote refinery -NNPCL
The spokesperson of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Olufemi Soneye, has disclosed that the state-owned energy firm reduced its stake in Dangote refinery to invest in Compressed Natural Gas. Soneye revealed that the NNPC capped its stake at 7.2 per cent instead of 20 per cent to build CNG stations across the nation. He stated this while featuring on Berekete Family Radio, a video of which was sighted by our correspondent on Monday. Soneye was called to speak on allegations that the NNPC was collaborating with the Nigerian Midstream…
Read MoreAkinmade, Dapo Abiodun’stop media aide loses father
High Chief Moses Ade Akinmade, the Obamoluwa of Idanre Kingdom, has passed on. The nonagenarian and father of Hon Kayode Akinmade, the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to the Ogun State governor died Monday evening. Announcing the passing of the late Obamoluwa, in a statement issued on behalf of the Akinmade family of Idanre, Ondo State, on Tuesday, Hon. Akinmade, who served as Special Adviser on Media to the then Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole, stated that even though the family has been hard…
Read MoreNYSC slams University of Calabar for fraudulent mobilisation of 101 corps
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has accused the University of Calabar of fraudulently mobilising 101 graduates for the national service during the 2021, 2022 and 2023 NYSC Service Years. According to a statement signed by the management of the NYSC, 99 persons have passed through, while two were on exemption. The management declared that those persons’ certificates of the National Service were being invalidated forthwith. The statement noted that the scheme stood by its strong commitment to ensuring that unqualified locally and foreign-trained Nigerian youths, especially those purported to…
Read MorePolice only raided a shop owned by a Sudanese saboteur at Labour House -Egbetokun
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Monday said a man, who was one of the masterminds of the crisis that ravaged Sudan, was among the organisers of just-concluded #EndBadGovernance nationwide protest. Egbetokun, clarified that the operatives of the force did not raid headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), but an office in the building being used by the foreigner. The police chief, who stated this in Abuja during a Youth Summit organised by the force, specifically said the raid was not targeted at the labour leaders but the…
Read MoreProtest: Police begin trial of 1,135 detained demonstrators over violence
Several state Police Commands in the northern part of the country have begun the prosecution of arrested protesters during the 10-day #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria nationwide protest. While the protests were relatively peaceful in the South, it turned violent in the North with several lives lost, property worth billions of naira destroyed, leading to the declaration of curfew in no fewer than five states. The protests, which held from August 1-10, was against the rising cost of living, which has been fueled by fuel subsidy removal, surging inflation at a 28-year high and…
Read MoreN90bn Hajj Subsidy: ICPC grills NAHCON officials
Some top officials of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria have been arrested by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission over alleged mismanagement or diversion of the N90bn released by the Federal Government to subsidise the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. The officials were arrested in their offices and taken to the anti-graft agency’s office following their failure to honour earlier invitations extended to them by the ICPC. A source at the commission added that the officials were interrogated for hours on the N90bn subsidy for…
Read MoreRetail Dutch Auction: Why CBN axe FCMB, Wema, UBA, three others
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) disqualified six Nigerian banks in its latest Retail Dutch Auction System (rDAS) on 6 August. Details of the transaction were disclosed in a statement by the Director of the Financial Markets Department at the CBN, Omolara Duke, who explained that six banks were rejected due to various compliance concerns, including late submissions and invalid forms. The disqualified bids amounted to $279 million. According to the Apex bank, the disqualified bids stemmed from late submissions. It explained that four banks, including major financial institutions such…
Read MoreP-Square’s crisis gets messier as Peter replies Paul claims over their songs, others
Peter Okoye, one-half of the popular Nigerian music duo P-Square, has responded to his brother Paul’s recent interviews, where he claimed to have written and sung 99% of their songs. Peter expressed disappointment and hurt over Peter’s constant discrediting of his efforts in the group. In an open letter on X.com on Monday, Peter listed several songs he had written, including “Ejeajo,” “Get-Squared,” “Bizzy Body,” and “Personally,” which Paul had failed to acknowledge. Peter wrote, “My dear brother Paul, Just like I have told you several times, I am not…
Read MoreLagos-Ibadan Expressway Phase 2: FG dumps Julius Berger’s proposal over N105bn cost disparity
The Federal Government has decided to reopen the bidding process for the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Phase 2 project after rejecting Julius Berger Plc’s N258 billion proposal. This decision was announced in a statement on the Ministry of Works’ official website, following a meeting held on Wednesday between the Minister of Works, David Umahi, and representatives from Julius Berger Plc at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja. The Ministry of Works, under Minister David Umahi, originally estimated the project cost at N153 billion after revising the plan from asphalt to concrete. However,…
Read MoreList of Nigerians who won medals for other countries at Paris 2024 Olympics
Yemisi Ogunleye (Germany): Event: Women’s Shot Put Medal: Gold Yemisi Ogunleye, born in Germany to a Nigerian father, made history by winning the gold medal in the women’s shot put at the Paris 2024 Olympics. This victory marked Germany’s first gold in the event since 1996. Salwa Eid Naser (Bahrain): Event: Women’s 400m Medal: Silver Salwa Eid Naser, originally born as Ebelechukwu Agbapuonwu in Nigeria, claimed the silver medal in the 400m for Bahrain. Naser, who switched allegiance to Bahrain in 2014, continues to be a dominant force in track…
Read MoreBandits kill four soldiers in Sokoto ambush, burn patrol vans
Bandits have ambushed soldiers on patrol in Gudu Local Government Area of Sokoto State, killing four of them. Two others were also injured during the attack which occurred this weekend. The member, representing Gudu at the state House of Assembly, Yahya Gudu who confirmed the attack said the assailants burnt down two patrol vehicles of the operatives. “Yes it is truth, some gunmen ambushed soldiers on patrol along Kukurau-Bangi road on Saturday and killed four of them while two others were injured. They also burnt down their patrol vehicles,” he…
Read MoreA star in our dark cloud: The Tigress coach, Wakama named best female basketball coach at Paris 2024 Olympics
Head coach of the Nigerian women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, Rena Wakama, has been named as the best female basketball coach at the Paris 2024 Olympics campaign. “Best coach of #Paris2024 Women’s Basketball.. Rene Wakama, Nigeria 🇳🇬,” the International Basketball Federation announced on X, formerly Twitter on Saturday. Wakama, the first Nigerian female basketball coach, guided Nigeria to a historical quarter-finals spot in Paris which is the first time an African team (both men and women) reach that level of the competition. Despite losing 74-88 to Team USA, her leadership and…
Read MoreNYSC denies N70k minimum wage order to corps members
The National Youth Service Corps has denied a social media report that corps members’ bank accounts are being upgraded to accommodate the N70,000 new national minimum wage. The corps said no directive has been given by the relevant authority for it to start the payment of N70, 000 minimum wage to corps members or to upgrade their accounts. According to a statement issued by the NYSC Director of Information and Public Relations, Eddy Megwa, on Saturday, the report is misleading and absolutely false. The NYSC, therefore, advised corps members to…
Read MoreUNIBEN probes Don over alleged sexual harassment
The management of the University of Benin, Edo State, has set up a committee to investigate allegations of sexual harassment against a Professor in the Department of Philosophy. This was contained in a circular issued by the investigation committee’s Secretary, B. D. Jonathan, and made available to journalists on Saturday. Although the professor’s name was not disclosed, the committee urged members of staff and students with relevant information or who have experienced any related incidents to come forward and share it. The circular read, “The Vice-Chancellor has set up a…
Read MorePolish arrested during Kano riots were on exchange programme at BUK -Poland
Poland has denied that its nationals who were arrested by security operatives in Kano, Nigeria, waved the Russian flag. The detained Poles were arrested on August 6 in Kano for allegedly displaying Russian flags during the #EndBadGovernance protest held by some Nigerians against economic hardship in the country. Also arrested were six Spanish nationals. The spokesperson for the Department of State Services, Peter Afunanya, at a meeting of diplomats in Abuja, said the Poles were arrested “because of where they were found during the protests and for displaying foreign flags.”…
Read MoreHow Buhari, powerful Northern cabal blocked my oil field acquisition-Elumelu
One of Nigeria’s most successful businessmen, Tony Elemelu, has accused former President Muhammadu Buhari of blocking his bid to acquire an oil field. Elumelu whose business interest spans across banking, power, hospitality, among others, disclosed that Heirs Holdings, his company, had been looking to purchase the oilfield since 2017 and raised $2.5bn for this, but Buhari and his late Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, blocked the deal. He said he was told Nigeria could not allow something of such strategic importance to fall into the hands of a private operator.…
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