Nigeria Latest News

  Aformer military governor of Ondo State and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, has stated that claimed that President Bola Tinubu sent some emissaries to him to end their “disagreement.”  George, who mentioned this while appearing on a Channel TV interview monitored by SaharaReporters on Monday, was explaining why he was still around in the country. Recall during the build-up to the 2023 general elections, George said he would leave Nigeria if Tinubu eventually won the election. While explaining why he decided to stay in the country contrary to his earlier pledge, he noted that his change of mind was due to the intervention of some elderly people that pacified him to take things easier with Tinubu. He said, “That I had a quarrel with Bola Tinubu, is not personal.  We disagreed on many fundamentals. Political fundamentals and those things are still there. Yes, they had sent emissaries to me that look, let’s tone down, and I accepted it. If elder people came

  The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has said that its latest count has shown that at least 31 journalists covering the Israeli-Hamas conflict have been killed. According to CPJ, of the 31 journalists killed in the ongoing war, 26 were Palestinians, four Israelis and one Lebanese. It further noted that eight other journalists have reportedly been injured, while nine others are considered missing or detained. The CPJ in a statement on Monday said that "Journalists in Gaza face particularly high risks as they try to cover the conflict in the face of an Israeli ground assault... devastating Israeli airstrikes, disrupted communications, and extensive power outages." It identified some of the killed journalists to include a well-known Palestinian filmmaker, Roshdi Sarraj and a Beirut-based videographer for Reuters, Issam Abdallah, who was killed near the Lebanon border by shelling coming from the direction of Israel. However, the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) has said it was

As the 2023 Supplementary budget forwarded to the Oyo State House of Assembly by Governor Seyi Makinde scales 2nd reading, the State lawmakers have harped on the need for the State Government to put new measures in place towards expanding and broadening the tax net of the State in order to fund the budget increment. This was part of the submission of the lawmakers as the 2023 Supplementary budget is referred to the House Committee on Finance, Appropriation and Budget for further scrutiny. Recall that Governor Seyi Makinde is seeking the upward review of the 2023 budget from #310,432,500,000 to #352,282,500,000. The Governor said the supplementary became necessary due to the adverse economic effects of removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit PMS and the floating of the exchange rates by the Federal Government. While deliberating on the supplementary budget, the lawmakers noted the vital need for the State Government to increase and expand its tax revenue bases to fund the budget so a

  The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a 2023 supplementary budget of N2.1 trillion. While speaking after the FEC meeting on Monday in Abuja the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Atiku Bagudu said the budget is to fund urgent issues. “The council considered a request for supplementary appropriation which is a second for 2023,” he said at the State House in Abuja. “And graciously approved the sum of N2,176,791,286,033 as supplementary budget and this supplementary budget is to fund urgent issues including N605 billion for national defence and security. “This is to sustain the gains made in security and to accelerate and these are funds that are needed by the security agencies before the year runs out. ” According to him, there will be allocations to maintain previous progress on national security and agriculture. The budget will also cover four months of wage awards for Federal Government workers and student loan funds. “Equally the sum of N210 billion is provided for

  THE right to adequate housing that is safe,  healthy, available and affordable is enshrined in the United Nation’s Habitat Agenda with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all (UN Habitat, 2001). Housing is a critical component in the social, economic and health fabric of every nation. Thus, governments around the world are duty- bound to ensure their citizens have access to suitable housing. The Oyo State government, led by Engr Seyi Makinde, is not left out. Statistics estimate that Nigeria has a housing deficit of 28 million, and would need over N21 trillion to adequately bridge the gap. Despite the policies, organisations and regulations which different governments have put in place since independence in 1960, there is still a huge shortage of housing, especially for the low-income segment of the society.  With a rapidly-growing population of more than 200 million, which is estimated to hit 400 million by 2050, this deficit would more than double if nothing is done to stem

  The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday published the comprehensive information of collected and uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) on polling unit basis in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states. This follows a meeting of the Commission on Monday  to review the ongoing preparations for the off-cycle governorship elections in the three states scheduled for Saturday, November 11, 2023. “As was done in recent elections, including the 2023 General Election, the Commission is publishing the comprehensive information of collected and uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) in the three States on polling unit basis. “The information also gives the distribution of the polling units by Local Government Areas, Registration Areas/Wards, the names of the polling units, their code numbers, number of registered voters and the number of collected as well as uncollected PVCs. “Equally significantly, the list provides the names and locations of the two polling units in Bayel

  Argentine superstar Lionel Messi has won the 2023 Ballon d’Or, making it a record-extending award for the 2022 World Cup winner.  The Inter Miami star was named the winner of the prestigious prize on Monday night in the French city of Paris in what many see as a fitting reward for leading the Abiscelete to a World Cup triumph late last year. Messi, 36, succeeds Karim Benzema as the winner of the prize awarded for his performances last season when he inspired Argentina to glory at the World Cup

  Oluyole Chairmanship Candidate for the forthcoming Local Government Elections, Engr Akeem Olatunji, has extended heartfelt congratulations to Victor Olojede and Abiodun Oluwaseun Laurel on their well-deserved reappointment as Senior Special Assistants to Governor Oluwaseyi Abiodun Makinde. Adding their remarkable dedication and exceptional performance during the first term administration, known as Omititun 1.0, have earned them the trust and recognition of the governor once again. Having served as Special Assistants to the Governor, Olojede and Oluwaseun have consistently demonstrated brilliance and expertise in their respective roles. Victor Olojede's unwavering commitment to student affairs has positively impacted the lives of countless young individuals under the Governor Makinde's administration. Mr. Abiodun Oluwaseun's relentless efforts in project delivery have contributed significantly to the successful execution of developmental projects, further cementing Governo

  The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, says that all is set for the smooth take-off of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) in 10 pilot states. He made this known in his address at opening ceremony of the Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers at the Landmark Event Centre in Owerri, the Imo State capital, on Monday. According to the IGP, the establishment of the Squad, a standby team of specially trained officers to rapidly intervene in major incidents, is a priority in his administration’s effort to confront the menace of violent crimes in the country. Egbetokun noted that after the 10 pilot states identified based on the recent violent crime assessment carried out in the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the other 27 states will immediately follow. The IGP said, “The Police Force under my watch is poised to confront head on the menace of violent crimes in our country, restore calm to troubled areas and engender an atmo

  The World Bank has warned that the war between Israel and Hamas could trigger price shocks for raw materials such as oil and agricultural products if the conflict escalates across the Middle East. The World Bank gave this warning on Monday, in a report. Israeli officials said the oil has already risen six percent since the latest round of fighting, sparked when Hamas militants from Gaza stormed southern Israel and killed more than 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and seized nearly 240 hostages. Israel has responded with an unrelenting bombardment of Gaza, which the Hamas-run health ministry says has killed more than 8,000 people, nearly half of them children. The conflict between Israel and Hamas comes as Russia’s war in Ukraine has already put pressure on markets, with that war being “the biggest shock to commodity markets since the 1970s,” warned World Bank chief economist Indermit Gill. “That had disruptive effects on the global economy that persist to this day,” Gill said in a sta

  Importers have returned to the parallel market to source for their forex needs as liquidity challenges persist in the official market, analysts have said. This is despite the lifting of forex ban on importers of 43 items by the Central Bank of Nigeria recently. Naira had recorded gains at the parallel market after recent fall. According to figures obtained from Aboki Forex on Saturday, the naira was bought and sold for 1,140/$ and 1,150/$; It had earlier traded at 1,310/$ on Tuesday at the parallel market. Analysts at Cordros Securities said, “Given the CBN’s unbanning of importers of all the 43 items previously restricted from the NAFEM in 2015, the market realised that FX supply is still minimal at the official market faster than we anticipated. “Accordingly, importers have returned to the parallel market to fulfil their FX obligations.”

  Oyo PDP Mourns Sudden Death of Nat’l Women Leader Condolences on the Demise of Professor Stella Effah-Attoe, PDP National Women Leader It is with heavy  hearts  and profound sorrow that we learnt about the passing of Professor Stella Effah-Attoe, the esteemed National Women Leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). She departed from us after a brief illness, leaving a void that will be deeply felt by all who had the privilege of knowing her. Professor Stella Effah-Attoe was not only a distinguished academician but also a political luminary, a prolific author, and a woman of remarkable substance. Her contributions to both the academic and political spheres have left an indelible mark on our society. We, the State Executives of the PDP in Oyo State, along with Alhaja Chief Mrs Wulemot Ibitoye, the Oyo State Women Leader of the PDP, extend our heartfelt condolences to the entire PDP family, especially the women wing. This loss is not only a bereavement for our party, but for the na

 Governor Seyi Makinde’s comparative advantage is his brainpower. His ability to think through complex issues and come up with unconventional albeit unimpeachable results is mindboggling. He dissects issues with the contemplation of a philosopher, the equanimity of a neurosurgeon, the dexterity of a scientist, the precision of an engineer, the prescience of an entrepreneur and the altruism of a leader. The application of this in his business transformed it into a multinational organisation within a decade. Introducing same to governance made him a trendsetter in less than a year as a state governor. The well-told story of how Governor Makinde’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis in Oyo State became the national standard still remains music to the ears and balm to the soul. Following in this tradition, Governor Makinde on October 24, 2023, signed two Executive Orders; one was on the creation of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism following the excising of same from the Ministry of Informat

  The Chairmanship Candidate for Oluyole Local Government, Idi-ayunre, Oyo State, Engr Akeem Olatunji extends warm congratulations to Chief Benedict Akika and his wife, Chief Mrs. Abidemi, Honourable Owolabi Olusola Adewale, and Akeem Amoo (a.k.a Omo Poly) on their recent conferments of prestigious Chieftaincy Titles. In a statement made available to Heritage Echo News, Engr. Akeem Olatunji describes Chief Benedict Akika and Chief Mrs. Abidemi Akika as exceptional humanitarians. He commends their unwavering dedication to creating a better society through their philanthropic endeavors and genuine concern for others. Engr. Olatunji recognizes the transformative impact they have made on various communities in Oyo State through their selfless acts of kindness. The conferment of these prestigious titles upon Chief Benedict Akika and Chief Mrs. Abidemi Akika is a testament to their remarkable commitment to humanitarian causes and community development. Their tireless efforts and philanthropy

As preparation ahead of next year’s local government election in Oyo state draws near, a group of elite community traditional chiefs otherwise known as the G18 Baales have paid the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Local Government Chairmanship candidate in Oluyole, Akeem Olatunji a visit to further plan ahead. Similarly, former Oyo state Commissioners for Environment and Industries respectively, Honourables Jide Adewale and Ayuba Balogun as well as ex state assembly lawmaker, Hon Lukman Salau, former Special Adviser to Governor Abiola Ajimobi, Engr Shola Shofowora and other notable political leaders in Oluyole have also visited Olatunji at his Sanyo private residence in Ibadan to assure him of their unwavering support ahead of 2024 council poll in the state. Oloye Kabiru Olajide, Baale of Aiyegun Oleyo, who led the G18 Baales to Olatunji’s private residence on Wednesday, October 25 said the former PDP Spokesman in Oyo state remains a pride of the local government and would not struggle to

 A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Prof. Paul Ananaba has advocated for all election petitions to be concluded within 60 days and before swearing-in. The Supreme Court had on Thursday affirmed President Bola Tinubu’s election, 171 days after the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) lodged their appeal seeking to invalidate his February 15, 2023 win. But Ananaba is not happy with the length of the legal tussle and believes election petitions should be concluded before swearing-in. “There is no reason why every election petition in Nigeria cannot be completed within 60 days before anybody is sworn in at all,” he said on Friday’s edition of Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.  “Why do we need 180 days for a petition? Another 60 days for Court of Appeal, another 60 days Supreme Court.” “We would say ‘Yes, the court has given judgment’. But it’s better if nobody has been sworn in and elections are taken clearly. Within two months of every election, including

  In a remarkable feat, Bashorun Adeniji Saintabey has triumphed over 140,000 participants to become the champion of the Library Innovation Competition 2023. This prestigious competition aims to recognize and encourage individuals who bring forth groundbreaking ideas to revolutionize library systems and services. Saintabey’s innovative concept, which stood out amongst the numerous submissions, showcases a comprehensive digital platform that transforms the traditional library experience into a seamless and accessible virtual realm. This platform integrates cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR), to create an immersive and inclusive environment for users. The revolutionary design employs latest method of gathering library information to enhance personalized recommendations for users, ensuring a tailored browsing experience for each individual. Additionally, the implementation of VR and AR technologies enables user

 President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of a new Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) leadership team, subject to the confirmation of the Nigerian Senate. POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the appointments were announced in a statement by presidential spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale. The new team is expected to commence work on November 30, 2023, following the expiration of the tenure of the current FCSC Chairman and membership. The new FCSC leadership team is as follows: (1) Prof. Tunji Olaopa — Chairman (2) Dr. Daudu Ibrahim Jalo — Member (Representing Adamawa | Gombe | Taraba) (3) Ms. Gekpe Grace Isu — Member (Representing Akwa Ibom | Cross River) (4) Dr. Chamberlain Nwele — Member (Representing Anambra | Ebonyi | Enugu) (5) Mr. Rufus N. Godwins — Member (Representing Rivers | Delta | Bayelsa) (6) Dr. Adamu Hussein — Member (Representing Niger | FCT) (7) Mr. Aminu Nabegu — Member (Representing Jigawa | Kano) (8) Ms. Hindatu Abdullahi — Member (Representing Kaduna | Katsina) (9

  Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has approved the installation of 48 chieftaincy title holders, including three Royal Highnesses, one coronet-wearing Oba and 44 Baales in various local governments of the state. The approval was granted by the governor sequel to a memo raised by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters. According to a statement by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Honourable Olusegun Olayiwola, the approval became imperative following the vacancies created in the various stools as they affect each local government as a result of the demise of the previous holders of the respective titles. It added that the administrative processes of filling the 48 chieftaincy titles had been concluded in accordance with the provision of the Chiefs Law of Oyo State, Cap.28 Section 15 (a&b) and that there was no court case or restraining order on any of the approved chieftaincy titles.