Cloned Nigerian Anchor

Author: Caroline Ameh

  • BREAKING: Senate Confirms Ifeanyi Ubah’s Death

    BREAKING: Senate Confirms Ifeanyi Ubah’s Death

    The Senator representing Anambra South, Ifeanyi Ubah, is dead.

    Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, confirmed Ubah’s death on Saturday, but did not give details.

    However, a source told Daily Trust that the lawmaker had flown to United Kingdom for a surgery.

    Ubah who until his death was a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), died at the age of 53.

    He was the Chief Executive Officer of Capital Oil.

    Ubah was first elected into the senate under the platform of Young People’s Party (YPP) in 2019.

    He was re-elected in 2023 under YPP but defected to the All Progressive Congress after.

    In September 2022, Ubah escaped assassination when he was attacked by gunmen on his way to Nnewi in Enugwu-Ukwu in Anambra State.

    His convoy was shot at, and at least five persons, including two policemen, were killed.

    He survived as the vehicle he was riding in was bulletproof.

  • Hardship: FCT Police to deploy 4,200 officers, vow to resist violent protest

    Hardship: FCT Police to deploy 4,200 officers, vow to resist violent protest

    By Doris Isreal Ijeoma

    The FCT Police Command announced on Friday that in anticipation of a planned nationwide protest by human rights activists and Nigerian youths against hunger and hardship, it has proactively deployed both material and human resources across the nation’s capital.

    “The proactive deployment aims to ensure public safety, protect protesters, and prevent protests from being hijacked by non-state actors.

    “It includes visibility policing and the deployment of explosive ordnance device (EOD) experts and personnel at various strategic locations.

    “Additionally, operatives will conduct raids on identified black spots, uncompleted buildings, and shanties. They will also engage in stop-and-search operations, vehicular and foot patrols, and maintain synergy with sister security agencies.

    The Commissioner of Police FCT, CP Benneth Igweh, while acknowledging the residents’ right to protest, advises that protests should remain peaceful.

    In a statement by SP Josephine Adeh, the spokesperson said, “The CP vows to resist all forms of violent protest and lawlessness, as the police will not be stampeded into allowing the destruction of public and private properties or loss of lives.”

    Residents are also urged to be vigilant and report suspicious activities via the following Police emergency lines: 08032003913, 08028940883, 08061581938, 07057337653 PCB: 09022222352 CRU: 08107314192

  • Obama endorses Kamala Harris for US president

    Obama endorses Kamala Harris for US president

    By Doris Isreal Ijeoma

    Former US president Barack Obama endorsed his fellow Democrat Kamala Harris’ bid for the White House on Friday, delivering a major boost to her campaign to beat Donald Trump in November’s presidential election.

    “Earlier this week, Michelle and I called our friend Kamala Harris. We told her we think she’ll make a fantastic President of the United States, and that she has our full support,” Obama said on social media platform X.

    “At this critical moment for our country, we’re going to do everything we can to make sure she wins in November. We hope you’ll join us.”

    The influential former leader was one of the last Democratic heavy hitters to offer his endorsement, with Harris having already received the backing of President Joe Biden on Sunday to take his place on the ballot.

    Obama’s backing will add to the growing momentum behind Harris’ campaign, which has enjoyed a groundswell of support since she announced her 11th-hour candidacy.

    Harris, 59, jumped into the election after weeks of turmoil over 81-year-old Biden, who bowed out after a dismal debate performance against Trump accelerated concerns over his mental capacity and persistently low polling numbers.

    The country’s first woman vice president — who is seeking to make history again in November — launched a blistering attack on Trump and his “extremist” Republicans as she addressed teachers Thursday.

    The momentum appeared to catch Trump off guard, with the bombastic Republican refusing to schedule a debate with Harris, saying Thursday night it would be “inappropriate” until she was officially named the Democratic nominee.

    “Democrats very well could still change their minds,” Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement.

    Harris, a former top prosecutor for California, chided her opponent on X, saying: “What happened to ‘any time, any place?’”

    She had previously said of a potential September 10 face-off: “I’m ready. So let’s go.”

  • Bomb explosion rocks Yobe market

    Bomb explosion rocks Yobe market

    An explosion, suspected to be caused by a planted Improvised Explosive Device, has occurred at the popular Buni Yadi market in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.

    Channels Television reported that a resident of Buni, Ali Hassan said that the incident happened at around 12.30pm on Friday, injuring a girl.

    The name of the girl and her current state of health has yet to be known

    The spokesman of the Sector 2 Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Muhammad Shehu also confirmed the incident, saying another IED planted in the market was discovered and successfully defused by the Army.

    He further explained the only victim of the explosion, is currently receiving treatment at one of the health facilities in Buni Yadi.

    He stressed the incident was a planted IED and not a suicide bombing incident.

    Buni Yadi, located 54 kilometres from Damaturu, the state capital, was the most severely affected local government area in Yobe State during the two years it was under Boko Haram insurgent control.

  • FG denies slashing allowances of foreign students stranded in Russia, Morocco, others

    FG denies slashing allowances of foreign students stranded in Russia, Morocco, others

    By Doris Isreal Ijeoma

    The Federal Government says it has no plan to slash scholarship students’ allowances as recently projected in the media.

    The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, stated this during a meeting with the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, in Abuja on Friday.

    There was a report that the ministry, through the Federal Scholarship Board, announced a slash in allowances of foreign scholars stranded in Russia, Morocco, and Algeria among others.

    The slash in scholars’ allowances under the federal government’s Bilateral Educational Agreement Scholarship, BEA, was attributed to the economic crises.

    Mr Mamman said that there was no slash in scholars` allowances but rather an adjustment due to Foreign Exchange fluctuations, FOREX.

    “We want to clarify what has been in the media on allowances paid to scholars under the Bilateral Scholarship Agreement.

    “We want to place it on record that the ministry and the Federal Government for that matter have not slashed the allowances due to students.

    “What happened is some adjustments in the amount due to them because of FOREX fluctuations, and as soon as we get the balance we have applied for, we will pay them.

    “But for now, what is in the budget is what we can pay. So, there is no slash, we will even be happy to increase, so this is what has led to the adjustments,” he said.

  • Mass trial: Court convicts 125 Boko Haram terrorists, financiers

    Mass trial: Court convicts 125 Boko Haram terrorists, financiers

    By Vivian Michael

    The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), in conjunction with the Office of the National Security Adviser, have convicted no fewer than 125 Boko Haram terrorists and financiers.

    In the resumed mass trial held over two days in Kainji, Niger State, they were convicted of charges bordering on terrorism, terrorism financing, rendering material support, and cases relating to International Criminal Court (ICC) criminality.

    This was contained in a statement released by Kamarudeen Ogundele,
    S A to the President on Communication & Publicity,
    Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.

    The trials held under Giwa Project Kanji Phase Five were before five Federal High Court judges led by Justice Binta Nyako.

    Others are Justices Joyce Abdulmalik, Emeka Nwite, Obiora Egwuatu, and Mobolaji Olajuwon.

    The prosecution team was led by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Babadoko Abubakar, while the defence team was led by Mr Abdulfatai Bakre from the Legal Aids Council.

    Others in attendance as international observers are the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) etc. Waaaa

    The courts convicted 85 persons for terrorism financing, 22 for ICC related crimes, while others were convicted for terrorism and were sentenced to various jail terms.

    It is also noteworthy that 400 defendants who have completed their sentence have also been moved to Operation Safe Corridor in Gombe State for rehabilitation, deradicalisation, and subsequent reintegration.

  • Date President Tinubu is Expected to Sign Minimum Wage Bill into Law Revealed

    Date President Tinubu is Expected to Sign Minimum Wage Bill into Law Revealed

    By Doris Isreal Ijeoma

    President Bola Tinubu is expected to sign the Minimum Wage Bill into law next week, following its passage by the National Assembly.

    The bill was finalized on Wednesday and transmitted to the President on Thursday, after its swift passage by both chambers during Tuesday’s plenary.

    According to multiple sources within the National Assembly, the President is expected to give expeditious assent to the bill.

    The Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters, Senator Abdullahi Gumel, confirmed the development, stating, “The bill will be transmitted today (Thursday).”

    The National Minimum Wage Act 2019 (Amendment Bill) was approved separately by the Senate and the House of Representatives on Tuesday, following a unanimous vote after a clause-by-clause consideration.

    The bill aims to increase the minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000, replacing the expired minimum wage that was effective until April 18, 2024.

    The President had transmitted an executive bill to the National Assembly, requesting prompt consideration to reflect the new minimum wage and reduce the periodic review period from five years to three years.

    This followed an agreement reached with labour leaders on the new minimum wage benchmark.

    The Tripartite Committee on the New National Minimum Wage had submitted separate figures, with the government team and organised private sector proposing N62,000, while Organised Labour demanded N250,000.

    The President held meetings with stakeholders to harmonise the figures before transmitting the executive bill to the National Assembly.

  • NNPC announces recruitment 

    NNPC announces recruitment 

    By Doris Isreal Ijeoma

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited is set to hire more workers.

    The NNPC spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, confirmed this in a statement on Friday.

    Soneye said the recruitment would be for various positions across various departments within the energy company.

    He directed interested applicants to visit the NNPC careers page for application instructions.

    “NNPC Ltd is pleased to announce that we are currently hiring for multiple positions across various departments. We are seeking talented and dedicated individuals to join our team. Visit our careers page for application instructions,” Soneye stated.

    In an update, Soneye disclosed that due to unprecedented traffic to the NNPC Ltd career page from applicants applying for vacancies, the site is currently experiencing slow load times.

    “Our techs are working diligently to rectify the problem.

    “Please be assured that the application process deadline remains Aug 20, 2024,” he disclosed.

    This may be the major recruitment exercise since the NNPC fully transformed into a limited company in 2022.

  • BREAKING:Tinubu meets governors in Aso Villa

    BREAKING:Tinubu meets governors in Aso Villa

    By Doris Isreal Ijeoma

    President Bola Tinubu is currently meeting with some governors at the presidential Villa in Abuja.

    The meeting followed the calling off of the National Executive Council (NEC) that was earlier scheduled for Thursday.

    The state chief executives were ferried in a single Coaster bus to president’s office at about 1.20 pm.

    Bwala meets Tinubu in Aso Rock, alleges foreign connection to planned protest
     
    Even though the agenda of the meeting has not been made public, it may not be unconnected with the ongoing hardship in the country and efforts to ameliorate the situation.

    The federal government is also striving to avert the planned protest by youths against the high cost of living.

    The issue is likely to feature prominently in the meeting.

    Among the governors sighted coming in for the meeting are the chairman of Progressives Governors Forum and Governor of Imo, Hope Uzodinma, and his counterparts from Kebbi, Kaduna, Benue, Jigawa, Ekiti, Ondo; the deputy governor of Nasarawa, among others.

  • BREAKING:INEC can handle local government elections, says chairman Yakubu

    BREAKING:INEC can handle local government elections, says chairman Yakubu

    By Doris Isreal Ijeoma

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared it can comfortably handle the conduct of local government elections if the responsibility falls on it.

    The chairman of the commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu said this on Thursday, July 25, when he appeared before the joint Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters on preparations for the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States.

    He said INEC has the capacity to handle the local government elections but that would only be possible pending when the law is amended to permit it to do so.

    He pointed out that the Commission had been conducting area council elections in the Federal Capital Territory which has been devoid of the problems associated with the conduct of local government elections.

    He pointed out some advantages of INEC handling elections to include that there are regular elections as when due, stability of tenure, and also that there has never been a caretaker committee in the FCT.

    He noted that there has never been a time one political party has won all the seats at the elections as is common in the states.

    He said if INEC handles the election, it would be better for democracy.

    He, however, said this can only happen if the constitution is amended to take the responsibility from state electoral commissions.