Cloned Nigerian Anchor

Author: Doris Israel Ijeoma

  • FG To Develop App For Student Loan Scheme Application

    FG To Develop App For Student Loan Scheme Application

    The Federal Government says it will develop an app for applications into the student loan scheme. 

    This is according to the Executive Secretary of the Student Loan Scheme Board Akintunde Sawyer who spoke on Monday after the board met with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.

    Sawyer said the move is to ensure zero human intervention in the scheme which is expected to start this year.

    The development came months after Tinubu said the scheme would commence in January 2024.

    “By January 2024, the new student loan must commence. To the future of our children and students, we are saying no more strikes,” Tinubu said in Abuja during the National Economic Summit 2023, assuring students that the era of incessant strikes is gone.

    President Tinubu in celebration of June 12, Nigeria’s Democracy Day, signed the student loan bill in fulfillment of the promise he made during his campaign.

    The bill, sponsored by the Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, now Chief of Staff to the President, provides easy access to higher education for indigent Nigerians through interest-free loans from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.

    The funds for the programme will be domiciled in the Ministry of Education and will only be accessed by indigent students of tertiary institutions.

  • 16 sacked Plateau Assembly lawmakers  to resume legislative duties

    16 sacked Plateau Assembly lawmakers  to resume legislative duties

    The 16 members of the Plateau House of Assembly, who were ousted by the Court of Appeal in November last year, have announced their intention to resume legislative duties on Tuesday.

    Briefing newsmen in Jos, the lawmakers, originally elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), revealed that they considered the recent Supreme Court judgment on Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s election as a precedent for their case.

    The Court of Appeal had nullified their election, citing a lack of party structure within the PDP. 

    This decision also affected federal lawmakers from the state, leading to re-run elections scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for February 3.

    Interestingly, Governor Mutfwang faced a similar fate but saw his dismissal overturned by the Supreme Court on January 12, highlighting an error in the lower court’s judgment.

    In response to the Supreme Court’s ruling, the ousted legislators asserted that they were merely on recess during this period and, based on the apex court’s decision, claimed their election nullification was in error. 

    The spokesperson for the group, Ishaku Maren, emphasized their democratic legitimacy, asserting that they were duly elected by the majority of votes in their respective constituencies.

  • Boakai Sworn In As Liberian President 

    Boakai Sworn In As Liberian President 

    Joseph Boakai has been sworn in Monday as Liberia’s president after his election victory over former football star George Weah, with the challenge of tackling poverty and corruption.

    The 79-year-old narrowly beat former Ballon d’Or winner Weah in November’s run-off poll with 50.64 percent of the votes to 49.36 percent.

    The inauguration ceremony in parliament was attended by Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo and US ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

    Boakai has 40 years of political experience already behind him.

    He was vice-president from 2006 to 2018 under Liberia’s first woman president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, before being soundly beaten by Weah in the 2017 election.

    November’s poll in the West African country was peaceful in a region that has seen a succession of military coups in recent years in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea and Niger.

    But the small nation of five million has been plagued with corruption, high levels of poverty and a weak justice system, after years of civil war and an Ebola outbreak.

    Impunity related to crimes committed during those civil wars is another unresolved issue.

  • Zelensky to reward foreign fighters with Ukrainian citizenship

    Zelensky to reward foreign fighters with Ukrainian citizenship

    President Volodymyr Zelensky has unveiled draft legislation allowing foreigners who fought against Russia in Ukraine to apply for Ukrainian citizenship. 

    Thousands of volunteers from various countries rushed to support Ukraine in the face of Russia’s invasion. 

    Zelensky emphasized the commitment of these foreign fighters to Ukraine’s freedom, stating, “Ukraine will become such for them.” 

    The proposed legislation permits dual citizenship, excluding Russia. 

    Zelensky also signed a decree titled “On the Territories of the Russian Federation Historically Inhabited by Ukrainians,” aiming to reveal historical truths for Ukraine’s future.

    In addition to receiving Western-supplied weapons, Kyiv, the country’s capital has welcomed citizens from multiple nations joining its forces. 

    Notably, units comprised of Belarusians and Russians, deemed “aggressor countries” by Kyiv, have joined the fight.

    Meanwhile, President Putin, responding to an attack on Belgorod, announced an intensified assault on Ukrainian military targets, vowing that no crime against civilians would go unpunished. 

    The attack on Belgorod followed a large-scale Russian assault on Ukrainian cities, resulting in casualties and injuries.

  • Bandits Strike In Enugu Community, Kill 1

    Bandits Strike In Enugu Community, Kill 1

    Agu-Amede community near Eha-Amufu in the Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State witnessed another horrifying attack on Sunday, January 21, 2024. 

    Suspected herder bandits targeted Odoba and Isi Agbuhu villages, resulting in the tragic death of Ikechukwu Odomi from Isi Agbuhu.

    Community leader Ephraim Ogbu confirmed the attack, expressing deep concern over the apparent lack of response from security forces despite timely information provided by the locals. 

    Ogbu revealed that a house owned by Chibuike Olinya in Odoba Agu Amede village was also burned down, with Olinya narrowly escaping harm.

    Despite the prolonged nature of the attack, Ogbu lamented that soldiers and other security agencies did not intervene, raising questions about the effectiveness of their presence in the area. 

    Ogbu questioned, “What we don’t know is whether the soldiers are here to protect the bandits?”

    Residents have been grappling with ongoing attacks since late last year, with Fulani bandits reportedly occupying a significant portion of farmland. 

    The assailants enter the community freely, leaving destruction in their wake. Ogbu emphasized, “The bandits come into the community at will, kill and burn houses.”

    The slain Ikechukwu Odomi had been accompanying his in-law when they encountered the bandits on the road. 

    He abandoned his vehicle and fled into the bush, but tragically, the assailants pursued him, setting the bush ablaze and claiming his life.

  • Suspended Minister, Betta Edu Reacts As Prayer Groups Hold Protests To Demand Reinstatement

    Suspended Minister, Betta Edu Reacts As Prayer Groups Hold Protests To Demand Reinstatement

    The suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, has claimed that she did not authorise groups organising public prayers and protests in her support to seek her reinstatement to President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet. 

    This was stated in a release by her media aide, Rasheed Olanrewaju, alleging that Edu was confident and committed to the government’s ongoing inquiry and was fully collaborating with the authorities.

    The suspended minister added that she did not sponsor any public activity and urged those behind the planned actions to stop it for smooth investigation into the allegations made against her. 

    The statement reads: “Following recent developments, would like to thank various stakeholders for their immense support since the unfortunate chain of events at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. Dr Betta Edu remains committed and confident in the investigative process instituted by President Bola Tinubu and is cooperating fully with relevant authorities.

    “The Minister has however been made aware of several efforts by individuals, supporters and others to organise public prayers, road walk and or protests to show public support.

    “We wish to use this medium to state that such efforts are not approved by her or any member of her team and should be discontinued forthwith because such efforts – no matter how noble the intent, it could be seen as an attempt to pre-empt the outcome of the investigations, or can be hijacked by nefarious persons with ulterior motives.

    “We kindly request that those with such plans should show their support by respecting the process and await the official findings and conclusions.

    “Your understanding and cooperation are highly appreciated at this time. She is indeed grateful for the overwhelming support from Nigerians across all strata of society especially those most dear to her heart; the Poor and vulnerable.

    “By God’s Grace, she will be back to continue her selfless service to humanity, especially to the poorest of the poor whose prayers have kept her strong thus far.”

  • Ten Injured As Explosion Rocks Kaduna Community

    Ten Injured As Explosion Rocks Kaduna Community

    Tension gripped Kidandan Village in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State as 10 children sustained injuries in an explosion on Saturday afternoon.

    The incident occurred while the children were playing with an object found in a nearby bush, suspected to be a bomb, leading to a sudden detonation.

    Disturbing images depict the victims covered in blood, receiving aid from local residents before being urgently transported to Shika Hospital in Zaria for medical attention.

    The Village Head, Alhaji Abubakar Umar Ruka, confirmed the incident, stating that 10 people were injured but thankfully, there were no reported fatalities.

    He mentioned ongoing efforts to compile the victims’ names, as the police had visited the community.

    Councilor Representing Kidandan Ward, Abdullahi Ismail, explained that the children discovered the object while searching for firewood in the bush, resulting in a severe explosion causing significant injuries.

    A community leader, choosing to remain anonymous, shared the grim details, noting one victim had visible injuries to their intestines, while others suffered broken limbs.

    The State Police Command Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, is yet to comment on the incident.

  • Appeal Court Sacks Ibrahim Gusau-Led NFF Board Over Alleged Deceit

    Appeal Court Sacks Ibrahim Gusau-Led NFF Board Over Alleged Deceit

    The Abuja Division of the Appeal Court on Friday sacked the Ibrahim Gusau-led Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Board.

    The decision, rendered in Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/1006/2022, saw Justice Barika’s panel, accompanied by Justices Okon Abang and Justice Banjoko, nullify all ‘dubious’ orders linked to the purported NFF election of September 30th in Benin City, Edo State.

    Harrison Jalla, Chairman of the Task Force for the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN), affirmed that the court struck down all processes related to the NFF appeal, directing their immediate removal from the court’s systems.

    Legal representation included NFF’s Jibrin Okutepa SAN, represented by Peace Omiri and Barrister Arnold, while PFAN TASK FORCE had Dr. Celsus Ukpong, Chief Rumson Baribote, and Mary Waribo.

    The statement issued warned that any ousted NFF Board member presenting themselves post the ongoing AFCON in Ivory Coast would risk criminal contempt proceedings. 

    At the time of press, no official statement from the NFF has been provided on this significant legal development.

  • Nasarawa Governor Speaks On Contesting Presidency In 2027

    Nasarawa Governor Speaks On Contesting Presidency In 2027

    Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has confirmed that he has no aspirations beyond his current role after securing a second term following the Supreme Court’s affirmation of his electoral win. 

    The 64-year-old leader expressed satisfaction with the resolution of the election litigation, emphasizing his commitment to his gubernatorial responsibilities.

    Sule, elected in 2019, assured his rival, David Ombugadu, that he harbours no ambitions for higher political positions. 
    “I came in only to be a governor. I did not come in to be a chairman, a senator or a member of the House of Representatives. I don’t have any dreams for those offices,” he stated.

    “I have no dream of becoming even president. I have no dreams of that. I can tell you categorically that Abdullahi Sule would not go for Senate after leaving office. By the time I finish my eight years I can do whatever I want to do.

    “You can take it from me confidently that I have no intention to run for the office of a senator. You can keep this tape and play it one day.”

    He also expressed his joy that the election litigation is over.

  • Abba Yusuf  Sacks Eight Directors At Internal Revenue Service

    Abba Yusuf  Sacks Eight Directors At Internal Revenue Service

    In a significant move to enhance its revenue-generating capabilities, the Kano State Government has terminated the services of eight directors from its Internal Revenue Service (KIRS).

    Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, recently affirmed by the Supreme Court, sanctioned the dismissals in alignment with the government’s ongoing efforts to achieve its objectives.

    This is  according to a KIRS circular signed by Chairman Sani Abdulkadir Dambo.

    The sacked directors include the Director of Assessment, Muhammad Kabir Umar; Director of Human Resources, Kabiru Magaji; Director of Government Business, Ibrahim Sammani; Aminu Umar Kawu, Director of Road and Other Taxes, and Muhd Auwal Abdullahi, Director of Tax Audit, Investigation and Debt Management.

    Others affected are Abubakar Garba Yusuf, Director of ICT, Hamisu Ado Magaji, Director of PAYE, and Bashir Yusuf Madobi, Director of Legal and Enforcement.