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Category: News

  • AFCON: Akpabio hails Super Eagles, charges them to conquer Africa

    AFCON: Akpabio hails Super Eagles, charges them to conquer Africa

    Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio has applauded the Super Eagles of Nigeria for beating the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon to qualify for the quarter finals of the ongoing TotalEnergies CAF African Cup of Nations.

    Akpabio, in a congratulatory message to the Nigerian team signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh said with the Saturday’s triumph over Cameroon, the Super Eagles have proven they have the wherewithal to beat any team in Africa.

    The resourcefulness and industry of the Super Eagles from Godswill Akpabio International Stadium(nest of champions)in Uyo to Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan is never in doubt.

    Praising the Super Eagles for their resilient, tactical discipline, and team work, the Senate President said “I felt proud watching the Super Eagles demobilize the lions.

    “Apart from dominating the Indomitable Lions, the Super Eagles tamed the Lions and made them looked ordinary. That is the Nigerian spirit. I congratulate you for making million of Nigerians proud”, he stated.

    The Senate President noted that the Super Eagles opponents in the quarter finals, the Palancas Negras of Angola is not a pushover but expressed optimism that Nigeria will triumph over them.

    “Your opponents in the quarter finals are also a strong side. But I strongly believe that with determination, right tactics and team work, you will subdue them.

    “While I congratulate you for advancing to this stage of the competition, I urge you not to be complacent but continue to be focused and resilient. We are behind you and all Nigerians are supporting you.

    “Do not look back but go on and bring home the trophy”, he charged the Eagles.

  • BREAKING: Many Feared Killed As Soldiers, Gunmen Clash In Mangu

    BREAKING: Many Feared Killed As Soldiers, Gunmen Clash In Mangu

    Many were reportedly killed when soldiers and gunmen clashed in two villages of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, on Saturday morning.

    The clash occurred after Governor Caleb Mutfwang relaxed the 24-hour curfew imposed on the area.

    Mutfwang had said following improvement of security, the curfew should be from 8am to 4pm.

    Sources said that about 30 gunmen were killed while some soldiers sustained injuries during the clash at Satguru and Tyop villages.

    A security operative, said, “The incident occurred between 7 to 7:30 am when the gunmen came in their numbers and started attacking some communities along Gindri road. In no time, the soldiers were alerted and immediately responded.

    “About 30 of the gunmen were killed while more than 50 of them were arrested with guns and ammunition. Four soldiers were equally injured.”

    Another source in the area who also pleaded for anonymity confirmed the incident, adding that people were still in fear.

    Spokesperson of Operation Safe Haven, a multi-security taskforce maintaining peace in the area, is yet to respond to the inquiries.

  • NCAA suspends private jet operator’s licence after Ibadan airport mishap

    NCAA suspends private jet operator’s licence after Ibadan airport mishap

    The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has suspended the licence of Mattini Airline Services Limited, the private jet operator whose aircraft overshot the runway on Friday at Ibadan airport.

    The private jet had 10 persons onboard before it overshot the runway, as firefighters and rescue officials from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria were immediately deployed to the scene.

    The NCAA declared in a statement that the licence suspension was with immediate effect pending the outcome of investigations into the incident.

    The Challenger CL 601 aircraft, registered as N580KR and operated by Mattini Airline Services Limited, departed from Abuja to Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan before the incident at 11 a.m.

    The regulatory body announced its intention to conduct a comprehensive safety and economic audit of all private jet operations in Nigeria, emphasising its commitment to ensuring the highest standards in the aviation sector.

    The ownership of numerous private jets, linked to both serving and non-serving governors as well as National Assembly members across the country, has come under scrutiny.

    These private jet owners have faced accusations of violating both economic and safety regulations set by the regulator.

    The Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NCAA, Michael Achimugu, issued a statement saying it enlisted the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau to conduct a thorough investigation into the Ibadan Airport incident.

    While the NSIB is conducting the safety investigation, the NCAA has initiated an economic inquiry into the aircraft’s operation, specifically concerning the terms and conditions of the PNCF as detailed in its documents.

    “In the meantime, and in accordance with Sec 32 (4) of the Civil Aviation Act 2022, the NCAA has also suspended the PNCF of Mattini Airline Services Limited with immediate effect.

    “The suspension, NCAA said will subsist until a determination is made that the conditions of the PNCF have been adhered to.

    “NCAA has further initiated a safety and economic audit of all private jet operations in Nigeria.

    “NCAA however assured the traveling public of its utmost commitment to safety and the entrenchment of global best practices.”

    In a press conference last week, the acting Director-General of NCAA, Chris Najomo said that all private jet owners operating commercial services risk losing their licenses for non-compliance.

  • Lagos PDP Chairman Kidnapped 

    Lagos PDP Chairman Kidnapped 

    The Lagos State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Philip Aivoji, has been abducted.

    He was abducted along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway around 6 p.m on Thursday, according to sources.

    The state publicity secretary of the party, Hon. Hakeem Amode, confirmed the abduction.

    He called on security agencies and government authorities at all levels to intervene promptly and secure his release.

    Amode stated that the chairman was returning from a stakeholders’ meeting in Oyo State convened by Governors Seyi Makinde and Ademola Adeleke.

    He said, “It is disheartening that kidnapping has become a prevalent issue in our country, and the government’s inability to address this menace is deeply concerning.

    “The abduction of Aivoji underscores the pressing need for decisive actions from the government and stakeholders to eradicate this menace.

    “Aivoji’s abduction was a violent incident, and his current whereabouts or any communication from the abductors remain unknown.

    “We implore the governments of Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos States, alongside security agencies, to expedite efforts and secure his safe return to his family and well-wishers. We firmly believe that, with increased efforts from security agencies, Aivoji can be rescued from these criminals, and we call on the public to support initiatives aimed at ending this threat to innocent lives.”

  • ICJ Orders Israel To Ensure Prevention Of Genocide In Gaza

    ICJ Orders Israel To Ensure Prevention Of Genocide In Gaza

    The International Court of Justice (ICJ) Friday, ordered Israel to ensure it prevents genocide in the Gaza Strip.

    In a judgement in the suit filed by South Africa, accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza, the court did not order an immediate ceasefire in the protracted war.

    The presiding judge, Joan Donoghue, in the judgement said Israel must try to contain death and damage in the Gaza Strip.

    The 1948 treaty defines genocide as “acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.”

    All states that signed the convention, including Israel and Palestine, are obliged to not commit genocide and to prevent and punish it.

    Riding on the strength of this Treaty, South Africa had petitioned the ICJ in December, saying the war between Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, violates the 1948 genocide convention.

    In the petition, the African country had requested immediate measures, saying the court should order an end to the violence against Palestinians in order to protect their rights “from further serious and irreparable harm.”

    Although Donoghue did not order a ceasefire, she said Israel must take immediate, effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance in the enclave.

    The judge said the ruling creates international legal obligations for Israel, and asked the Jewish nation to report to the court within a month on what it is doing to uphold the order to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza.

  • BREAKING: Britain’s King Charles III admitted to hospital for prostate surgery

    BREAKING: Britain’s King Charles III admitted to hospital for prostate surgery

    In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, it has been confirmed that King Charles, aged 75, has been admitted to the London Clinic private hospital for a corrective procedure addressing his enlarged prostate. 

    This comes just a week after his daughter-in-law, Princess Catherine, underwent abdominal surgery at the same facility.

    The monarch made his health condition public, using the opportunity to raise awareness about prostate health for men. 

    The disclosure resulted in a notable increase in searches on the NHS website, indicating heightened public interest in understanding and addressing prostate-related issues.

    King Charles visited Princess Catherine in the hospital on Friday morning, ahead of his scheduled treatment. 

    Queen Camilla accompanied him upon his arrival at the central London hospital. The duration of the King’s hospital stay remains unknown at this time.

    A statement from Buckingham Palace expressed the King’s satisfaction with the positive impact his diagnosis has had on public health awareness.

    The statement also conveyed his gratitude to those who sent their good wishes during this period.

    The plan for the corrective procedure was revealed by the palace last week, emphasizing that the benign prostate problem, while common in men over 50, is typically non-cancerous and not considered a serious condition by the NHS.

  • Ganduje hasn’t contacted Abba Yusuf over request to join APC, says aide

    Ganduje hasn’t contacted Abba Yusuf over request to join APC, says aide

    Sunusi Bature Dawakin, director-general of media and publicity in the office of Abba Yusuf, governor of Kano state, says his principal has not been contacted by Abdullahi Ganduje, national chair of the All Progressives Congress (APC), over joining the APC. 

    Dawakin said this in reaction to comments credited to Ganduje who said he had asked the Kano governor to abandon the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) for the APC.

    “We are appealing to those who want to join APC to come,” the APC national chair had said.

    “In particular, we are inviting the Governor of Kano and his NNPP to join APC.”

    Speaking on the BBC Hausa service on Friday, Dawakin said they only learnt of the invitation via social media.

    The director-general said as a former governor and former deputy governor, Ganduje knows the right channels to get to his principal.

    “We learned about the invitation on social media, but Dr Ganduje, as a former Governor and former deputy governor, knows more than any other person how to send a message to an incumbent governor, appropriately,” he said.

    Dawakin said Yusuf is yet to take any position on whether he would join the ruling party or not.

    President Bola Tinubu is reportedly working to reconcile Ganduje and Rabiu Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano.

    Kwankwaso and Yusuf defected to the NNPP before the 2023 polls where they both pursued presidential and governorship bids respectively.

    While the former governor was not successful with his presidential bid, Yusuf was declared winner of the gubernatorial election which has now been affirmed by the supreme court.

  • $500,000 bribe: Supreme Court affirms Farouk Lawan’s five-year sentence

    $500,000 bribe: Supreme Court affirms Farouk Lawan’s five-year sentence

    The Supreme Court has affirmed the five-year jail term handed to a former member of the House of Representatives, Farouk Lawan by the Court of Appeal.

    Lawan was convicted and sentenced to prison in 2021 for accepting $500,000 bribe from businessman, Femi Otedola, Chairman, Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd.

    In a unanimous judgment on Friday, a five-member panel affirmed the 2022 judgment of the Court of Appeal which upheld Lawan’s sentencing to five years in respect of only count three on the three-count charge on which he was tried at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    In the lead judgment prepared by Justice John Okoro but read on Friday by Justice Tijjani Abubakar, the apex count found that Lawan’s appeal was without merit and proceeded to dismiss it.

  • Presidency Replies Atiku Over NNPC’s $3.3 Billion Emergency Loan

    Presidency Replies Atiku Over NNPC’s $3.3 Billion Emergency Loan

    The Presidency has replied to the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, over the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPCL) $3.3 billion emergency crude repayment loan.

    Recall that the repayment loan was secured on August 16, 2023, and was designed to bolster the naira and stabilize the foreign exchange market.

    The transaction, arranged by the African Export-Import Bank, was not only intended to support the national currency but also to aid the Federal Government’s monetary and fiscal reforms.

    Notably, three weeks ago, the Federal Government received $2.25 billion of the $3.3 billion foreign exchange facility from the bank.

    However, in a statement on Thursday, Atiku called on President Bola Tinubu to provide a detailed account of the repayment loan, adding that the only available details were emerging from sources within the NNPCL.

    He highlighted that the transaction is being facilitated by a Special Purpose Vehicle named Project Gazelle Funding Limited, which was incorporated in the Bahamas.

    Reacting to Atiku’s query on Thursday, presidential aide, Otega Ogra said the Tinubu’s administration has taken the time to educate all Nigerians further on the loan at various times.

    He said the loan also known as Project Gazelle, is a financing agreement secured by NNPC Limited to prepay future royalties and taxes to the federal government.

    Ogra stated that NNPC Limited’s project is a forward-thinking financial strategy that aligns operational needs with broader economic goals by utilising future crude oil sales for immediate funding, enhancing liquidity, and contributing to Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves.

    He said the project showcases NNPC Limited’s operational autonomy and financial acumen while ensuring immediate liquidity, minimising the impact on future earnings, and potentially enhancing Nigeria’s credit rating.

    Ogra noted that the repayments are strategically planned and tied to future oil sales, with conservative pricing in oil sales contracts mitigating the risks associated with oil price volatility.

  • Action Alliance: Appeal Court affirms Kenneth Udeze as authentic Nat’l Chair

    Action Alliance: Appeal Court affirms Kenneth Udeze as authentic Nat’l Chair

    The Action Alliance (AA) prolonged National Chairmanship tussle has been put to rest today as the court of Appeal Abuja division has affirmed Chief (Barr) Kenneth Udeze As the authentic National Chairman of the party.

    The three man panel of justices presided over by Hon. Justice H.A. Barka dismissed the Appeal filed by one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje in Appeal number:CA/ABJ/CV/955/2022 challenging the judgement of the FCT High Court in suit number:FCT/HC/CV/174/2022 delivered on 28th day of March,2022 by Hon.Justice Eleojo Enenche hich had earlier Affirmed Chief (Barr) Kenneth Udeze As the authentic National Chairman of Action Alliance (AA) and validated the 14th, March,2021 National Convention of the party.

    The Appeal court also awarded the cost of N4 million against Adekunle Rufai omoaje in favor of Chief (Barr) Kenneth Udeze and other three Respondents.

    In the judgement a three-man panel of justices presided over by Justice. H.A. Barka affirmed Chief (Barr) Kenneth Udeze as the authentic National Chairman of Action Alliance (AA)in Appeal number:CA/ABJ/CV/526/2022 Between one CHIEF UZEWURU NWACHUKWU Vs KENNETH UDEZE AND 2ORS.

    The parties in this appeal submitted themselves to the Court of Appeal where all issues regarding the position of the National Chairmanship of AA was resolved in favor of Barr Udeze

    The spokesman of the party, Rev. Dennis Ubani, shortly after the judgement was delivered said, “With the two Court of Appeal judgements affirming Barr Udeze as the authentic National Chairman of Action Alliance (AA) ,it is now finally put to rest the party prolong legal tustle on the National Chairmanship.

    “We express our profound gratitude to the Nigerian judiciary, that indeed it is the last hope for a common man.

    “We thank our party legal team led by Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa (SAN) former Attorney General and minister of justice for a deligent procecution of the matters .

    “We thank all the party faithfuls across Nigeria and beyond for their prayers and we urge you to have faith and always support Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led National Executives of the Action Alliance (AA).”