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Category: News

  • Former Yobe Governor Bukar Abba Ibrahim is Dead

    Former Yobe Governor Bukar Abba Ibrahim is Dead

    It has been confirmed that the former Yobe State Governor, Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim has passed away, aged 73 years.

    The announcement came through the official social platform of Gujba Emirate Council and was later corroborated by a reliable source within the Emirate.

    Senator Ibrahim, a seasoned politician born in October 1950, served two terms as Yobe State Governor, from January 1992 to November 1993, and later from May 29, 1999, to May 29, 2007.

    His political journey continued with distinction as he assumed the role of Senator for Yobe East Senatorial District, a position he held from June 2007 to June 2019.

    The late statesman took his final bow at Medina Hospital after battling an undisclosed illness. The nation mourns the loss of a stalwart in Nigerian politics, recognizing Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim’s enduring commitment to public service and his significant impact on the nation’s political landscape.

  • President Hage Geingob bows to Cancer at 82

    President Hage Geingob bows to Cancer at 82

    Namibia’s President Hage Geingob has passed away after losing a battle to cancer at the age of 82, as confirmed by his office. The news comes less than three weeks after it was revealed that he would undergo treatment for cancer.

    The presidential office conveyed the sad news through a statement on social media, attributed to Vice President Nangolo Mbumba, who is now assuming the role of acting president. President Geingob, who assumed office in 2015, breathed his last at a Windhoek hospital just after midnight.

    “The Namibian nation has lost a distinguished servant of the people, a liberation struggle icon, the chief architect of our constitution, and the pillar of the Namibian house,” expressed Vice President Mbumba.

    Born on August 3, 1941, in Otjiwarongo, in what was then South-West Africa, Hage Geingob played a significant role in the struggle for Namibian independence. He served as Namibia’s first prime minister from 1990 until 2002, the year the country gained independence. He later returned to the position in 2012 before being elected president in 2015.

    Geingob spent his early adulthood in exile, first in Botswana and later in the United States, where he became a leader in the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO).

    He pursued higher education in the U.S., studying at Fordham University in New York City and obtaining a master’s degree in international relations at The New School.

    After Namibia gained independence, President Geingob played a crucial role in guiding the nation through the post-apartheid era. Notably, he chaired the Constituent Assembly and oversaw the drafting of Namibia’s new Constitution.

    As the nation mourns, Vice President Mbumba appealed for calm, assuring that the government would handle necessary state arrangements, preparations, and other protocols. Further announcements regarding this sad development are expected.

  • Police Intercepts Vehicle Loaded with Political Thugs in Yobe

    Police Intercepts Vehicle Loaded with Political Thugs in Yobe

    The Yobe State Police Command says, working in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, it has interpreted an 18-seater bus boarded with political thugs in Gashua Local Government Area on mission to arrive at Damaturu to disrupt the electoral process.

    DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Yobe Police Command, Damaturu revealed in a statement made available to Nigerian Anchor in Damaturu.

    According to him “On 3rd February 2024 at about 0700hrs Military Checkpoint intercepted the bus while conveying thugs to Damaturu Metropolitan Council to cause mayhem in the electoral process but made their Waterloo, the police took them into custody for a district investigation and subsequent prosecution.

    The following are some of the suspects arrested: Abu Bakar Garba Bololo, aged 25, Habu Mato, aged 35, Suleman Musa, aged 50, Yusuf Danjuma, aged 33, Abdullahi Haruna, aged 45. Others are Zanab Mohammed, aged 25 of Unguwan Lawan and Rachael Bitrus, aged 23 and seven other syndicate members of Jakusko and Gashua LGA”.

    “The suspects claimed they were recruited to serve as agents of one of the opposition parties.

    Meanwhile, the investigation is swift to unravel the criminal implications of the matter”.

    “In this regard, the Commissioner of police in the state, Garba Ahmed, reiterated the commitment of the Police and sister Security Agencies to ensure the security and safety of the electorate and relative peace enjoyed in the State. 

    “However, calls on the good members of the public to remain resolute and shun violence, thuggery as security is firm to act on any untoward deviation”.

  • Enugu Rerun-Election: Labour Party Calls For Cancellation

    Enugu Rerun-Election: Labour Party Calls For Cancellation

    The Labour Party, LP, has described the House of Representatives re-run election in Igbo-Eze/Udenu federal constituency, Enugu State, as a sham and called for a total cancellation of the exercise.

    The national secretary of the party, Umar Farouk, who led its monitoring team to polling stations involved in the by-elections on Saturday, told journalists that due process was not followed.

    He said that accreditation was compromised, result sheets were hijacked, and BVAS machines were disregarded while voters were not allowed to exercise their right to vote.

    The LP national secretary, who addressed the press in the company of the party’s House of Representatives candidate, Dennis Agbo, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to immediately cancel elections in areas where illegalities have been reported.

    In his comments, Dennis Agbo also called for the immediate and total cancellation of the supplementary election. He accused the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, of using the local government vigilante to intimidate LP supporters.

    Agbo said LP members were chased away from polling booths by the local vigilantes and further alleged that INEC officials took instructions from PDP officials and allowed voting to take place in private houses.

  • Macky Sall Postpones Senegal Presidential Election

    Macky Sall Postpones Senegal Presidential Election

    Macky Sall, president of Senegal, has announced a postponement of the February 25 presidential election. 

    Sall made the announcement on Saturday during a national broadcast wherein he also called for dialogue with stakeholders.

    “I will initiate an open national dialogue to bring together the conditions for a free, transparent and inclusive election in a peaceful and reconciled Senegal,” Sall said.

    Sall has been president of Senegal since 2012 and recently announced that he would not be seeking a third term.

    The Senegalese 2021 constitution only allows a president to serve for five years and is limited to two terms.

    The president, who had previously hinted at a third term as granted by the constitutional council, recently decided to step down and announced Amadou Ba, prime minister, as his preferred successor.

    He reiterated on Saturday that he would not be seeking a third term.

    “As for me, my solemn commitment not to run for the presidential election remains unchanged,” Sall said.

    Some civil society organisations had expressed concerns on issues relating to the electoral process.

  • Lagos by-election: Fashola inexplicably absent at polling unit

    Lagos by-election: Fashola inexplicably absent at polling unit

    A former governor of Lagos State, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN), was inexplicably absent at his polling unit, to vote for his party’s (APC) candidate for the Surulere 1 House of Representatives.

    Fashola, who was expected at the polling unit with the wife, Mrs Abimbola Fashola, was not seen throughout the election.

    Journalists, who waited for the former Minister of Power, Works and Housing, from 8.a.m. when the election started, left for other places after hours of waiting, while some stayed till the end on the possibility of him coming.

    One of the party members who pleaded anonymity said that the former governor was actually expected to come around to exercise his franchise.

    ”We actually expected him but along the line it was clear that he will not be coming again. I heard that he is not in town,” the party member said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that voting for the Surulere Federal Constituency 1 in Polling Unit 002, at State Junior Grammar School (Special), Itolo Street, Eric Moore, Surulere, started at 8.00 a.m, as INEC agents arrived on time to set up the unit.

    The unit, which is the venue where Fashola was expected to cast his vote, saw voters trickling in.

    The unit which had 750 registered voters, recorded only 45 voters who came to exercise their franchise.

  • ISWAP Attack Police Headquarters In Borno

    ISWAP Attack Police Headquarters In Borno

    The Borno State Police Command has confirmed the killing of four policemen by Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on Friday in Gajiram, headquarters of Nganzai local government area of Borno State.

    Confirming the incident to our journalists on Saturday in Maiduguri, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Nahun Daso, said the bodies of the slain police officers have been recovered.

    Similarly, sources, according to Zagazola Makama, a Counter-Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad region, revealed that the terrorists disguised themselves and sneaked into the town at about 11 am on Friday and went straight to the police quarters in Gajiram town and opened fire, killing the four policemen.

    Makama added, “Sources said mobile policemen at the police quarters engaged the terrorists in a heavy gun battle, which prevented them from burning down the quarters.

    “It was learnt that when the troops of ‘Operation Hadin Kai’ Joint Taskforce stormed the scene, the terrorists had fled.”

    Gajiram is located about 73 kilometers from Maiduguri, the restive capital of Borno State.

  • China guards culture, traditional values Jealously -Runsewe

    China guards culture, traditional values Jealously -Runsewe

    The Director General, National Council for Art and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, has stated that the celebration of Chinese new year festival is a testament to the fact that China guides very jealously, its cultural heritage and traditional values.

    Runsewe informed that China is reputed for its diverse culture and its fascinating manifestations, which date back to several centuries.

    The NCAC boss made the statement while delivering his goodwill message during activities to mark 2024, Chinese New Year celebration at the Chinese cultural center, Saturday in Abuja.

    Runsewe, who is also the President, World Craft Council (WCC), said it is important to point out that China shares a lot of similarities with Nigeria. While China is the second most populous country in Asia, Nigeria is the most populated country in Africa. Similarly, both China and Nigeria are culturally diverse nations.

    He said, “China has 56 official ethnic groups while Nigeria has close to 400 ethnic groups, each with its unique cultural peculiarities. China has leveraged its cultural strength to develop its economy. On the other hand, Nigeria harnesses its cultural potential to drive the process of her economic development.

    “It is therefore clear that both nations have a lot to learn and benefit from each other in the area of cultural exchanges. Indeed, the relationship between China and Nigeria has been quite robust. The cultural sector in Nigeria has benefited greatly from Chinese human capital development programmes. Over the years, the two countries have developed a strong cultural partnership that pays.

    “Nigeria has a lot of historical and heritage sites that can be upgraded to serve as recreational, religious, and commercial sites comparable to the Chinese Temple fair. We are rich in arts, crafts, other cultural products as well as a variety of food and snacks. Some of our historical sites have been listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. This is why we must strengthen our cultural ties with China so as to tap from their cultural expertise. ”

    Speaking at the occasion, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Cui Jianchun, stated that the Chinese new year celebration also known as the spring festival is an important Chinese celebration that brings family together to reflect on the past year, celebrate what they have achieved while ushering in the new year.

    He said, “This year, 2024 is tagged the year of the dragon, in Chinese culture, dragon symbolize three things, one is auspiciousness, second is the wisdom, and the third is about strength. I believe in our relationship with Nigeria. We have been auspicious, applied wisdom, and together, we have shown that there is strength in unity.

    Delivering his speech, Chairman house committee on Nigeria-China Relation in the National of Assembly, Hon Jafaru Yakubu, stated that the temple fair is an age long celebration that brings family together in love, peace and harmony.

    He explained that the year’s celebration will also provide an opportunity for Nigerians to learn about Chinese culture and tradition.

    One of the winners of the Chinese raffle draw, Mr Emmanuel Okoi, thank God for favouring him to be among the winners, and he prayed the Chinese Nigeria relationship will continue to blossom.

  • AFCON ’24: FG Pledges Full support for Super Eagles

    AFCON ’24: FG Pledges Full support for Super Eagles

    The Federal Government has vowed to provide the necessary support for the Super Eagles of Nigeria to win the African Cup of Nations 2024 currently going on in Cote d’Ivoire.

    The leader of the Federal Government delegation and President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio dropped the hint while speaking via Zoom from Cote d’Ivoire to assure Nigerians that the Nigerian team has the support of the Government of the day to excel at the football competition.

    Akpabio who led top Government officials including National Assembly members to Cote d’Ivoire to cheer the Super Eagles to victory against the Palancas Negras of Angola at the quarter finals of the ongoing African Nations Cup, said sports is a unifying factor which must be harnessed for the benefit of the youths.

    According to Senator Akpabio, “I was very ecstatic at the stadium when the Super Eagles scored against Palancas Negras of Angola. The entire stadium exploded with the Nigerian supporters and those who love Nigeria.

    “Our presence here to support the Super Eagles is evidence of the fact that the Government is serious about sports and youth development and I’m very excited about the victory.

    “When I was the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, I gave the youths the best stadium in West Africa and under President Bola Tinubu, we shall replicate this in all parts of the country.

    “The Government of the day is very youth friendly and we are poised to create the enabling environment for the youths of Nigeria to realize their potentials. We are very determined to give opportunities to our youths to take them away from vices and I say congratulations to all Nigerians for this victory,” he said.

  • Google Signs Power Purchase Agreement for Offshore Wind Projects

    Google Signs Power Purchase Agreement for Offshore Wind Projects

    In a significant move towards greening its power supply, technology giant Google has inked its largest-ever power purchase agreement (PPA) with offshore wind projects situated off the coast of the Netherlands. 

    This strategic initiative aligns with Google’s commitment to meeting climate targets while promoting sustainable energy solutions.

    As reported by Reuters, renewable power project developers are increasingly opting for long-term PPAs to ensure revenue security, while corporate buyers like Google are eager to secure a stable supply chain to fulfill their clean energy goals.

    Google’s landmark offshore wind PPA entails the procurement of 478 megawatts (MW) of power from two cutting-edge wind farms developed by Crosswind & Ecowende Consortia. 

    These joint ventures, helmed by energy giants Shell and Dutch utility Eneco, exemplify collaborative efforts in advancing renewable energy initiatives.

    Additionally, Google has revealed smaller-scale renewable PPAs in Italy, Poland, and Belgium, underscoring its global commitment to sustainable energy practices. 

    However, specific financial details of these agreements remain undisclosed.

    Matt Brittin, President of Google in EMEA, emphasized the company’s overarching ambition to operate on carbon-free energy round the clock by 2030. 

    This vision necessitates clean energy solutions across all grids where Google operates, signifying a steadfast dedication to environmental sustainability.

    While many companies pursue renewable energy goals on an annual basis, typically matching PPAs or renewable energy certificate purchases with their yearly electricity consumption, Google stands out with its forward-thinking approach. 

    The tech giant aims to synchronize each hour of electricity consumed with an equivalent hour of clean power production, a methodology hailed by proponents for its accurate reflection of companies’ actual energy usage patterns.