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  • BREAKING: Nigeria Loses Former Minister of Science& Technology

    BREAKING: Nigeria Loses Former Minister of Science& Technology

    A former Abia State Governor, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu is dead.

    According to report, 72-year-old Onu died on Thursday morning at an Abuja hospital.

    One of his kinsmen in Ebonyi who confirmed his death to newsmen said the former governor had been ill for some time and his family had planned to fly him abroad after the Sallah break.

    “He has been sick for some time this year and his family said they would fly him abroad to get better medical treatment for him but he could not make it till then,” the source said.

    Onu, who hailed from Ebonyi State, was the first civilian governor of Abia State and Nigeria’s Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation from November 2015 until his resignation in 2022.

    His friends and relations have thronged his Abuja residence since hearing the news to express their condolences to his family.

    After working as a teacher and later as a lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, Ogbonnaya Onu started his political career as an aspirant for a senatorial seat in the old Imo State on the platform of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN).

    He contested for the position of Governor of Abia State in 1991 under the umbrella of the National Republican Convention and won.

    He was sworn in as the first executive governor of the state in January 1992 and was the first chairman of the Conference of Nigerian elected governors.

    In 1999, he was the presidential candidate of the All People’s Party but relinquished the position to Olu Falae after his party merged with the Alliance for Democracy.

    Falae lost to Olusegun Obasanjo of the Peoples Democratic Party in the presidential election.

    Onu later became the national chairman of the All Nigerian People’s Party.

    In 2013, the ANPP merged with the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Democratic People’s Party (DPP) and some members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to form the All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling party in Nigeria.

    In November 2015, he was appointed Minister of Science and Technology by then-President Muhammadu Buhari. He resigned his appointment in 2022.

  • How Late Kannywood Actress Saratu Gidado Fed Hungry Children During Ramadan Fast

    How Late Kannywood Actress Saratu Gidado Fed Hungry Children During Ramadan Fast

    In a heartwarming display of compassion, late Kannywood actress Saratu Gidado, affectionately known as Daso, was captured on video feeding hungry children during the Ramadan fast. 

    Her act of generosity touched many hearts, illustrating her commitment to helping those in need.

    Tragically, Saratu passed away after partaking in Sahur, the pre-dawn meal, just a day before the conclusion of Ramadan. 

    Her sudden demise has left her fans and the entertainment industry in mourning, as they remember her not only for her talent but also for her philanthropic spirit.

    Tributes have poured in for Saratu, with many highlighting her selflessness and dedication to alleviating the suffering of others, especially young children. 

    Her legacy of kindness will continue to inspire and uplift communities during this difficult time.

    Daso who died at the age of 56 was born on 17 January, 1968 in the city of Kano.

    She was particularly known for the comical roles she played as an aggressive and mischievous woman.

    She made her debut in 2000 in a movie titled Linzami Da Wuta, produced by Sarauniya Movies.

    Other hits that led to the late actress’s stardom include Nagari, Gidauniya, Mashi, and Sansani followed.

  • Retired Justice, Ahmad Olarewaju Belgore dies at 71

    Retired Justice, Ahmad Olarewaju Belgore dies at 71

    Ahmad Olarewaju Belgore, a retired Justice of the Court of Appeal, has passed away at age 71 in Ilorin, Kwara State.

    It was gathered that he died after breaking his Ramadan fast on Tuesday, April 9.

    Belgore, born on April 18, 1953, graduated with an LL.B. (Hons.) in Law from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1978, and subsequently earned his Barrister-At-Law (BL) at the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos in the 1978/79 session.

    He was enrolled as a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in July 1979.

    Throughout his distinguished career, Belgore served in several prominent legal roles.

    He was a Judge of the High Court of Justice in Kwara State from August 1990 to 2006, and also served as the Resident High Court Judge of the Offa Judicial Division of Kwara State from August 1994 to September 1999.

    Additionally, he chaired the Special Tribunal for Miscellaneous Offences in Abuja.

    Belgore’s international experience included a secondment to the Judiciary of the Republic of the Gambia, where he served as a Justice of Appeal in the Gambia Court of Appeal, later becoming the acting Justice of the Supreme Court until December 2005.

    Upon returning to Nigeria, he was appointed as a Justice of the Court of Appeal on April 27, 2006, and was sworn in on June 8, 2006.

    Belgore’s contributions to the legal profession were further recognized with appointments to the Body of Benchers of Nigeria in October 2015 and as a Life Bencher in February 2021.

    He retired from his role as a Justice of the Court of Appeal on April 18, 2023, upon reaching the age of 70.

    His recent public appearance was at the fidau held for the late District Head of Ballah, Alhaji Salman Olarongbe Abdulkadir.

  • Hoodlums Burn Down Residence Of Former Nigerian Governor

    Hoodlums Burn Down Residence Of Former Nigerian Governor

    Hoodlums wreaked havoc in the Gboko area of Benue State by setting ablaze the residence of Late Aper Aku, the former Governor of the state. 

    The incident, which occurred on Monday, saw the occupants safely evacuated before the assailants touched the building. 

    Deborah Aku, daughter of the late governor, revealed that the police rescued them from the premises before the attack escalated. 

    The ordeal traces back to March when a man wielding a cutlass threatened the household, alleging his goat died after drinking water from their premises. 

    Despite reporting the issue to the police and pursuing legal recourse, the family faced another assault on Monday morning. 

    Armed with weapons, over 30 individuals besieged the house, vandalizing property, and killing their dog before setting the house ablaze. 

    The police, while able to rescue the occupants, were outnumbered by the assailants. Investigations are underway, with authorities urged to address the escalating security concerns in the area. 

    The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident, emphasizing the need for further investigation. 

    Mkeenem Moses, Senior Special Assistant to the Benue Governor, condemned the attack, calling for swift action to prevent future assaults in the region.

  • Kano State Governor Appoints Nine New Special Advisers

    Kano State Governor Appoints Nine New Special Advisers

    In a move to bolster his administration, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has announced the appointment of nine additional special advisers, alongside key heads of government agencies. 

    The appointments were disclosed in a press statement issued on Tuesday by the governor’s spokesman, Sanusi Tofa.

    Among the appointees are Prof. Ibrahim Barde, appointed as Special Adviser for Internally Generated Revenue (IGR); Dr. Abdulhamid Danladi, named as Special Adviser on Diaspora II; Bello Kiru, assigned as Special Adviser on Water Resources; and Yusuf Shuaibu Imam (Ogan Boye), who has been reappointed as Special Adviser on Youths and Sports.

    In further restructuring, Dr. Nura Shanono has been shifted from Special Adviser for Water Resources to the role of Managing Director at the Water Resources Engineering and Construction Agency (WRECA). Similarly, Baba Umar has been reassigned from Special Adviser to Executive Secretary at the Private and Voluntary Institutions Management Board.

    Additionally, Nasir Muhammad has been appointed as Director General of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Aminu Na’isa as Deputy Managing Director of the Kano Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (KNARDA), and Mukhtar Yusuf as Deputy Managing Director of the Water Resources Engineering and Construction Agency (WRECA).

    These appointments are effective immediately.

  • Katsina Government Declares Friday Work Free Day 

    Katsina Government Declares Friday Work Free Day 

    The Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda has declared Friday 12th April 2024 as work free day for the Eid-El-Fitr celebrations.

    According to Governor Radda, his government has also taken this step to enable workers in the state to fully enjoy the Sallah celebration with their families.

    The decision to declare the day also followed the good gesture of the Federal Government for extending the Eid-El-Fitr public holidays to Thursday 11th of this month.

    In a Tuesday statement, the Katsina State Commissioner of Information and Culture Bala Zango quoted the governor as wishing the good people of the state a happy and peaceful Sallah celebration.

    He further urged the good people of the state to be security conscious and pray for peace to reign in the state and the nation at large as they celebrate this year’s ED-FITR.

  • Atiku Dares Tinubu To Disclose Cost Of  Lagos-Calabar Highway Project 

    Atiku Dares Tinubu To Disclose Cost Of  Lagos-Calabar Highway Project 

    Atiku Abubakar, former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, calls out President Bola Tinubu to reveal the full expenses of the Lagos-Calabar highway project. 

    Atiku, questioning the lack of transparency, demanded clarity on the project’s total cost and its funding source, raising concerns over the awarded contract and expenditure distribution. 

    Tinubu’s administration has been facing mounting pressure to address these inquiries amidst allegations of non-competitive bidding and financial discrepancies. 

    Atiku emphasized the need for accountability and urges Tinubu’s administration to respond to the public’s inquiries with transparency, invoking the spirit of the Freedom of Information Act.

    He said:

    “The Tinubu administration cannot continue to respond to the public inquiry with insults. They must come clean on this project because Nigerians deserve to know the truth. I, therefore, present six posers to the administration.

    “1. How much is the total cost of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway? 2. Why is the project being funded by the Nigerian government despite being a PPP? 3. Why is the project taking off from Chagoury’s Eko Atlantic? 4. Why is N1.06tn being spent on the pilot phase, which is just 47km?

    “5. Why did the N1.06tn not get the approval of the National Assembly? 6. Why wasn’t there a competitive bidding for the project? 7. Finally, how did the Tinubu administration get the design as well as the right of way in just 7 months, since it claims the past administration of Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari never touched the project?”

  • Veteran Kannywood actress Saratu Daso dies while fasting

    Veteran Kannywood actress Saratu Daso dies while fasting

    A veteran Kannywood actress Saratu Gidado, popularly known as Daso, is dead.

    A local radio station in Kano State announced that the popular actress died in her sleep.

    Her family members explained that the actress failed to wake up on Tuesday morning after the midnight meal before the commencement of the day’s Ramadan fast, Sahur.

    Daso, until her death, was a prominent figure in the Hausa film industry for over 18 years.

    Her remarkable performances and versatile roles endeared her to audiences across the Northern region.

    Before she took up the illustrious acting career, Saratu was a dedicated school teacher.

    The announcement of her passing has left fans and colleagues mourning the loss of a beloved talent.

    As preparations were underway for her funeral, scheduled for 4:00 pm, tributes have continued to pour in from all corners of the entertainment world.

  • Preparations in Full Swing for Korea-Africa Summit 2024

    Preparations in Full Swing for Korea-Africa Summit 2024

    Officials from African Diplomatic Missions and South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs Engage in Consultative Meetings Ahead of June, 2024 Summit in Seoul, Korea.

    As the summit draws near, officials from African diplomatic missions stationed in Korea and the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs have intensified their collaborative efforts to ensure the success of the upcoming summit.

    Scheduled to take place in Seoul in June 2024, the summit aims to foster closer ties and explore avenues for mutually beneficial cooperation between South Korea and African nations.

    South Korea, known for its robust trading relationships with countries such as the US, China, Japan, Vietnam, Turkey, India, New Zealand, Peru, and the European Union, is now eyeing expansion into the African market.

    The Korea-Africa Summit presents a unique opportunity to solidify trade alliances with African countries, with both sides anticipating significant economic gains.

    Ambassador Dong-han Yang, representing South Korea, emphasized the summit’s goal of forging future-oriented partnerships with African counterparts. He underscored the importance of sharing development experiences to invigorate growth in participating countries, leveraging the dynamism of African economies.

    With the theme “The Future We Make Together: Shared Growth, Sustainability, and Solidarity,” the summit will delve into strategic collaborations between South Korea and African nations. Key areas of focus include addressing global challenges, sustainable energy, infrastructure development, human resource development (including Technical and Vocational Education and Training), science, technology, digital transformation, people-to-people exchanges, and peace and security initiatives.

    One of the significant announcements expected during the summit is South Korea’s intention to initiate Official Negotiations for the first-ever Free Trade Association (FTA) with African countries. Currently, South Korea boasts 21 FTAs with 27 countries, none of which are with African nations. This move aims to rectify the imbalance and facilitate direct trade between South Korea and Africa, potentially unlocking substantial economic opportunities for both sides.

    The summit also holds the promise of reversing the current trade imbalance, where Africa constitutes only one percent of Korean trade with the rest of the world. African countries stand to benefit from increased access to the Korean market, bypassing intermediaries such as Vietnam, China, and India.

    President Tinubu-led Federal Government is among the countries eagerly anticipating the economic windfall from the Korea-Africa Summit.

    The summit’s sideline meetings present a platform for high-level engagements, akin to the G20 summit held in Delhi, where the African Union was conferred with a permanent member title. President Tinubu had the opportunity to engage with leaders from the US, Germany, and South Korea, signaling the potential for significant diplomatic and economic gains.

    The Korea-Africa Summit in June 2024 is poised to be a landmark event, heralding a new chapter of cooperation and economic prosperity between South Korea and the African continent.

  • Wike orders closure of International Conference Centre

    Wike orders closure of International Conference Centre

    Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has taken decisive action by ordering the closure of the International Conference Centre in Abuja. 

    The move comes after a thorough inspection revealed the urgent need for rehabilitation of the facility, which Wike deemed unworthy of its international status.

     Julius Berger has been tasked with carrying out the renovation, following the termination of the contract with the previous management company. 

    Wike emphasized the importance of transforming the centre into a world-class venue, appointing experienced diplomat Maureen Tamuno to oversee its management. 

    With an eight-month timeline for completion, the aim is to restore pride in Nigeria’s international conference facilities.