Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has declared three days of state mourning for the deceased Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum and Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. Makinde made the declaration on Thursday. Our correspondent recalls that Akeredolu’s death was announced on Wednesday. Makinde also ordered that all flags at public offices in the state be flown at half mast for three days. The governor made this declaration in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Sulaimon Olanrewaju. The statement read, “Oyo State governor and vice chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, ‘Seyi Makinde, has declared three…

A soldier has been arrested by the Nigerian Army’s 7 Division in Maiduguri, for the suspected murder of a truck driver at a checkpoint on the Maiduguri-Dikwa-Gamboru Road. The truck driver and the soldier at the checkpoint misunderstood each another, leading to the altercation that led to the driver’s death. However, in response to the tragic killing, commercial drivers have reportedly decided to boycott the heavily travelled border road in protest, leaving many travellers stranded. In a statement released on Thursday, the Public Relations Officer for 7 Division, Lt. Col. A.Y. Jingina, confirmed the arrest and stated that the Army had opened…

Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa on Thursday in Dutse signed the 2024 Appropriation Bill of ₦298.140 billion into law. The development came barely one week after the state House of Assembly passed the bill. The governor lauded the synergy between the executive and the legislature, adding that the gesture resulted in the smooth passage of the bill. He said the estimate was being prepared to serve the people of the state, adding that he assented to the bill sequel to legislative approval. “We are signing our first appropriation bill into law after scrutiny by Jigawa State House of Assembly. “And,…

The Federal Government has ordered an immediate release of humanitarian relief to the Plateau communities affected by the recent attacks. This is contained in a statement issued by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, in Abuja. “The Federal Government of Nigeria strongly condemns the recent killings in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State. “We would like to reiterate the commitment of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Administration to securing every inch of Nigerian territory, and ensuring that all forms of criminality by terrorists, bandits and militants are tackled boldly and decisively. “President Tinubu…

The National Assembly, NASS has been urged to look into the continuous killings in Plateau State. Making this call in a statement titled “Murder on the Plateau: Time to end the killings,” on Thursday, House Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda criticized security agencies for consistently failing to act on intelligence. Chinda urged the National Assembly to base its investigations on Sections 4, 88, and 89 of the 1999 constitution. The statement read, “We urge the National Assembly Security Committees to draw strength from Sections 4, 88 and 89 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, as amended, to commence a proper and detailed investigation into the persistent…

The Ondo state commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Raimi Olayiwola Aminu, has resigned from his position in the state cabinet. Aminu, in his resignation letter, said his decision was based on the dictates of his conscience following the death of Rotimi Akeredolu, whom he described as his leader and dear boss. The Commissioner’s resignation letter, which was addressed to the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu, said his resignation took effect from Thursday, December 28. He appreciated the opportunity to serve the Ondo State government in different capacities. “I sincerely thank our dear Arakunrin and the good people of…

Former Secretary to the State Government of Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has signified his interests to join the 2024 governorship race in the state. Ize-Iyamu declared his intention to run on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, again on Wednesday. The former SSG said he would stick with his previous SIMPLE agenda, which stands for Security, Infrastructure Development, Manpower Development, Public/Private Partnership, Leadership by example and Employment creation. Ize-Iyamu’s current declaration makes it the third shot at the Edo governorship office. In 2020, he ran on the platform of the APC but lost to Governor Godwin Obaseki,…

Niger governor Umar Bago has dismissed reports claiming that he had banned alcoholic drinks in the state. Bago, in a statement in Abuja on Thursday, said such directive was neither from him or his aides. “The public should disregard the report emanating from social media and blogs,” he said. “My attention has been drawn to a report in some blogs claiming that the Niger State Government has prohibited the sale of alcohol. “Such was said to have come through the state’s Liquor and Licensing Board, prohibiting alcohol in nine local government areas of the state, including Suleja. “We wish to…

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Wednesday inaugurated the multi-million redesigned Kano Governor’s office complex at the Government House in Kano. The edifice office included a redesigned Council Chamber, Executive Conference Hall and VIP lounge. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the complex was constructed by the first Military Administrator of the state, late Commissioner of Police Audu Bako, in 1967. The vice president was assisted by Gov. Abba Yusuf; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Tajudeen Abbas; Deputy Senate President, Sen. Barau Jibril; Sen. Kawu Sumaila and Deputy Governor Aminu Gwarzo. Shettima lauded the political commitment demonstrated…

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has declared a three-day mourning period in Ondo State to pay tribute to his late principal, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. This information was conveyed in a statement released to the press on Wednesday in Akure by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan. Governor Akeredolu passed away in the early hours of Wednesday. As per Aiyedatiwa’s announcement, this mourning period, accompanied by fasting and prayer, will commence from Thursday, December 28, to Saturday, December 30, 2023. Furthermore, he stated that all national flags should be flown at half-mast as a symbol of the…

The Acting Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, is set to be sworn in as the governor of the state today in Akure, the state capital. Aiyedatiwa will be sworn in by the state Chief Judge, Justice Olusegun Odusola, in Akure by 4 pm barring any last minute change in plan. It was learned that Aiyedatiwa was already on his way to Akure from his home town of Igbokoda where he had gone for the Christmas and New Year break. A top government source told SaharaReporters that: “Ondo State will be swearing in Lucky Aiyedatiwa as governor in Akure today. The…

The Ondo State Government has confirmed the death of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. The late Ondo state governor died in the early hours of Wednesday in a German hospital. In a statement by the state information and Orientation commissioner, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, Akeredolu died of prostate cancer. She said Governor Akeredolu died while receiving medical treatment in Germany after complications arising from protracted prostate cancer. The statement reads: “Mr Governor peacefully departed from this world in the early hours of today, Wednesday, December 27, 2023. “This tragedy has left behind a profound void in our hearts. Governor Akeredolu answered the eternal call while receiving medical…