Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has paid a glowing tribute to his departed longtime friend and brother, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, of Ondo State, who died on Wednesday, December 27, 2023. In an emotional tribute, the former VP expressed his sadness and deep pain over the loss of the Governor, describing him as his brother and friend of over 40 years. In a post shared across his social media handles, Prof. Osinbajo wrote: “Dolly and I express our sincere condolence to Her Excellency Betty Akeredolu, children, family, friends, associates of HE Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu @rotimiaketi and the government and people…

The Edo State Government has reacted to a slash in the budgetary allocation to the Deputy Governor’s office in the 2024 budget. In the 2024 budget signed into law by Governor Godwin Obaseki, N345 million was allocated to the Office of the Deputy Governor. According to the budget, N19 billion was allocated to the Office of the State Governor while the Office of the Secretary to the State Government was allocated N8 billion and the Office of the Head of Service got N968m. A source within the House of Assembly told Daily Trust that the reduction in the allocation to Shaibu’s office…

Abia state 2024 Appropriations Bill, worth N567.2 billion, recently passed by the State House of Assembly has been signed into law by the state governor, Alex Otti. Otti stated that Abia will transition from its current state of underdevelopment to development as he signed the 2024 budget into law on Thursday. He pointed out that the allocation of 84% of the budget for capital expenditures and 16% for ongoing expenses was not an error, but rather a calculated strategy to quicken the speed of Abia’s economic expansion. The Governor insisted that all borrowed funds for the budget would go toward capital…

The Federal Government has announced the planned closure of the Iyana Oworonshoki-Adeniji Adele section of the Third Mainland Bridge in 2024. The Federal Controller of Works, Lagos State, Mrs Olukorede Kesha, announced in a Thursday statement that the planned closure will commence from 11: 00 am on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. Kesha said the closure would be done on the Lagos Island-bound carriageway of the bridge. She appealed to motorists to obey traffic rules and use alternative routes to prevent hardship as comprehensive repairs continue on the highway. “The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Works wishes to inform…

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…