Cloned Nigerian Anchor

Author: Doris Israel Ijeoma

  • Why I Regret Not Marrying Earlier – Timini Egbuson

    Why I Regret Not Marrying Earlier – Timini Egbuson

    Nollywood actor Timimi Egbuson has shared his regret about relationships, saying he regrets not marrying earlier.

    The 36-year-old movie star said this in a recent podcast interview with content creator Kamsi Nnamani, emphasizing that he values the peace of mind a partner can provide over superficial qualities like looks.

    While revealing his struggles with relationships, Egbuson acknowledged that despite committing to several in the past, none have panned out.

    He also shared his regret about not settling down earlier, reflecting that he might have had a 14-year-old child by now if he had married sooner.

  • Ex Benue Governor Joins PDP Chairmanship Race

    Ex Benue Governor Joins PDP Chairmanship Race

    Former Benue State Governor, Senator Gabriel Suswam has thrown his hat into the ring for the national chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Suswam stated his intention to vie for the position, aiming to complete the tenure of ousted Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, asserting that it rightfully belongs to Benue state and the North Central region.

    Speaking in Katsina-Ala on Friday during a meeting with the Benue North East PDP expanded caucus, Suswam emphasized his consultation with key party figures in the state, including Samuel Ortom, David Mark, Abba Moro, and the PDP’s State Working Committee.

    Highlighting the constitutional backing and historical precedent, Suswam underscored the north central and Benue’s right to finish Senator Ayu’s truncated tenure, advocating for party unity and mobilization ahead of the 2027 elections.

    He urged reconciliation post-2023 polls, emphasizing the PDP’s role as the foremost vehicle for Nigeria’s progress.

  • FG Files Terrorism Charges Against Miyetti Allah President

    FG Files Terrorism Charges Against Miyetti Allah President

    The Nigerian government has taken action against Bello Bodejo, the President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, by filing terrorism charges against him. 

    The charges alleged his involvement in establishing and arming an unauthorized ethnic militia group, deemed a threat to national security.

    Bodejo was apprehended on January 23 for purportedly organizing and arming a vigilante group from the Miyetti Allah office in Nasarawa State. 

    The Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, filed a motion seeking Bodejo’s remand, which was granted for 15 days by Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo.

    Despite the court’s directive to charge Bodejo within seven days of the remand expiration, the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) failed to produce him before the court for arraignment. 

    The prosecution explained the delay, stating that charges were filed on March 12, prompting the defense to request bail for their client.

    However, the prosecution vehemently opposed the bail plea, citing national security concerns. Justice Ekwo reserved ruling on the matter for March 22.

  • Budget padding: I can’t be Controlled or Silenced – Ningi

    Budget padding: I can’t be Controlled or Silenced – Ningi

    After being suspended for three months by the Senate over his allegation that the sum of N3.7 trillion was not tied to any project in the 2024 budget, Bauchi Central Senator, Abdul Ningi, has insisted that no one can control or silence him from revealing the ‘can of worms’ in the Senate. 

    The suspended senator also alleged that the Senate is trying to silence or get him arrested for exposing the alleged padding of the 2024 appropriation budget. 

    Speaking on Arise Tv on Wednesday, Ningi said no one could control the can of worms he had opened.

    He said: “That is why I said I know this parliament very well, I have come a long way. And that is why we are speaking. Let’s speak.

    “Have they ever asked me since the beginning of this so-called crisis, where are your findings? Where are the documents? I’m not using my head to come up with figures.

    “Nobody has talked to me about evidence. Nobody has suggested even listening to me. All they are trying to do is to ensure that ‘how do we make sure that Ningi is silenced or arrested so that he doesn’t do anything?’

    “I have opened this can of worms. Neither they nor I will be able to control it.”

  • Budget Padding Allegation: Senators Finally Reveal Amount They Received 

    Budget Padding Allegation: Senators Finally Reveal Amount They Received 

    In the ongoing debate over alleged misallocation of funds for constituency projects, senators have come forward to clarify the amounts they received from the 2024 budget. 

    Contrary to earlier claims of receiving N500 million each, a Labour Party lawmaker, Senator Tony Nwoye and Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe disclosed receiving lower sums.

    Senator Nwoye, representing Anambra North, stated that he was allocated N250 million for intervention projects, while Senator Abaribe, representing Abia South, confirmed receiving N266 million.

    These revelations contradict previous assertions made during a heated Senate session, where Senator Jarigbe Jarigbe alleged that some senior senators had been allocated N500 million each.

    The controversy comes amidst accusations of budget padding, initially raised by suspended Senator Abdul Ningi. 

    Despite the uproar, Senator Abaribe emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability, urging constituents to hold their representatives responsible for the allocated funds.

  • NANS Reacts As FG Postpones Students Loan For Again 

    NANS Reacts As FG Postpones Students Loan For Again 

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has voiced discontent over the federal government’s decision to postpone the implementation of the student loan program. 

    The initiative, aimed at alleviating the financial burden on indigent students following the announcement of increased tuition fees in federal universities, has faced indefinite delays, as announced by the President Bola Tinubu-led administration on Tuesday.

    Initially conceived to cushion the impact of tuition hikes, the program’s repeated postponements have left financially disadvantaged students scrambling to find alternative means to cover their educational expenses.

    In response to this setback, NANS President, Pedro Chibuzo Obi, expressed frustration. 

    He emphasized the urgent need for dialogue between the union, the fund’s management, and the government to address the challenges obstructing the commencement of the student loan scheme.

    Obi underscored the importance of ensuring the program’s effectiveness and alignment with the interests of Nigerian students. He highlighted concerns regarding the ongoing academic session, noting that the delay may compromise the scheme’s ability to provide adequate support during this period.

    He asserted, “The delay is regrettable, but we are committed to facilitating the scheme’s prompt commencement to benefit the Nigerian student community. Despite the current academic session being halfway through, we urge swift action to ensure the program’s rollout without further delay.”

  • FG Reopens Borders, Lifts Sanctions on Niger

    FG Reopens Borders, Lifts Sanctions on Niger

    President Bola Tinubu has directed the reopening of Nigeria’s land and air borders with the Republic of Niger, alongside the lifting of sanctions against the country, effective immediately.

    This decision aligns with the consensus reached by ECOWAS leaders to lift economic sanctions against several nations, including Niger, during the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government extraordinary summit on February 24, 2024, in Abuja.

    According to a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu’s directive signifies a commitment to regional cooperation and the advancement of economic ties.

    The sanctions lifted include the closure of land and air borders between Nigeria and Niger, suspension of commercial and financial transactions, freeze of assets, and travel bans on government officials and their families.

    President Tinubu has also authorized the lifting of financial and economic sanctions against the Republic of Guinea.

  • Bauchi Governor Reacts To Ningi’s Suspension

    Bauchi Governor Reacts To Ningi’s Suspension

    Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has declared that the state government is behind Senator Abdul Ningi, the lawmaker who was handed a three-month suspension after his comment on N3.7 trillion not being traceable in the 2024 budget.

    Ningi, representing Bauchi Central senatorial district at the upper chamber of the National Assembly, was suspended by the Senate, on Tuesday.

    The Senator had subsequently resigned as Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum (NSF).

    On the floor of the Senate, Chairman Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Olamilekan Adeola (APC, Ogun West), had said the Red Chamber had inaugurated a template for the speedy consideration and passage of the 2024 Money Bill as he initiated the motion on breach of privilege by the Bauchi senator.

    Senator Adeola had come under orders 9, 10, 41, and 51 to move a motion of privilege and issue of national importance against Ningi over his interview with the BBC Hausa.

    Following Adeola’s motion on breach of privilege, a member of the Appropriation Committee in the Senate, Jimoh Ibrahim, first moved the motion for Ningi’s suspension for 12 months over allegations of criminal misinformation and breach of peace in the National Assembly.

    But, some of the senators moved for the amendment of the suspension for three months for the embattled federal lawmaker, which the senate ratified.

    Speaking during the State Executive Council meeting at the Government House, Bauchi, on Wednesday, Mohammed said, “yesterday I was very sad the Senate suspended one of our best from Bauchi for saying the truth, for standing up to be the beacon of the truth.”

    Mohammed, who is also the chairman PDP Governors’ Forum, said, “Equally I don’t know what we will do but we will discuss privately to see what we can do to support him because I support whatever he is doing and that is our best position especially if what he saying is the truth”.

  • FG Postpones Launch of Students Loan

    FG Postpones Launch of Students Loan

    Barely 48 hours before its official launch, the Federal Government has postponed the launch of the Nigerian Students Loan Scheme indefinitely.

    The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, Akintunde Sawyer, disclosed this known during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Tuesday. 

    According to Sawyer, the loan scheme was postponed due to some corrections that were being made around the launch.

    “Unfortunately, I won’t be able to commit to a specific date. We are sort of waiting to ensure that all the stakeholders are aligned to make sure that nobody is blindsided, then we can actually roll this out in a meaningful, comprehensive, wholesome and sustainable way,” he said.

    The proposed bill sponsored by former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, was supposed to start between September and October 2023, after President Bola Tinubu, signed it into law in June 2023.

    The Students Loan Fund would give interest-free loans to Nigerians for higher education.

    Tinubu, had said the programme would begin in January 2024, after missing the October deadline.

    In January, Minister of State for Education, Yusuf Sununu, said at a meeting that preparations for the program were finished. This included making the Student Loan Scheme website and planning how to start the programme.

    Also, Tinubu told leaders of the National Association of Nigerian Students that the programme would start once they added more features, like vocational studies.

  • Remi Tinubu Finally Breaks Silence After Islamic Cleric Called For Her Death

    Remi Tinubu Finally Breaks Silence After Islamic Cleric Called For Her Death

    Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, the wife of President Bola Tinubu, has reacted to a recent threat by an Islamic cleric in Bauchi purportedly wishing her dead.

    A viral video surfaced a few weeks ago where the Islamic Cleric declared that Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, deserved to die for her Christian faith while describing the Muslim/Muslim ticket that brought President Bola Tinubu to power as a scam.

    However, the First Lady, undeterred by the threat, said after reaching 64 years of age, she shouldn’t be afraid of death.

    She spoke during a courtesy visit to the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwan Adamu before commissioning some projects in the State.

    She said: “I want to thank His Excellency (Bauchi Governor), he keeps assuring me that I am safe in Bauchi but I want to say that I am too old to be afraid. If God has granted me over 60 years on earth, I shouldn’t be afraid of death.

    “I thank God that you encouraged me to come. Nigeria belongs to all of us and this is the time for us to unite more than ever before.”

    Responding, Bauchi Governor, Bala Mohammed, condemned the recent death threats made against the First Lady, labelling it a “national embarrassment.”

    Addressing the incident, Mohammed expressed his dismay, describing the threat as unacceptable.

    He assured Mrs. Tinubu of her safety in the state and pledged to take appropriate action against the cleric responsible for the threat.

    Mohammed said: “Your Excellency, you have distinguished yourself not only as a distinguished Senator but as a politician who has opened the new frontier of politics and politicking. Your renewed hope is being given as hope because you have set aside all the differences of politics and partisanship.

    “And of course, I am aware of some of the challenges and threats to your life and person by somebody from this State. I was so disappointed and frustrated, but you made my day as a courageous mother, you decided to come to Bauchi.

    “Your Royal Highness, this distinguished lady has shown that Nigeria is really working and that Nigeria is one and nobody can play politics with our lives. We are very grateful, your life is more important to us than our own lives, nothing will happen to you. “

    “And that renegade, we will deal with him and Allah deal with him, by the grace of God. On behalf of their Royal Highnesses and the people of Bauchi, we apologize for that national embarrassment, it will not happen again.”