Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Former president Olusegun Obasanjo has declared his readiness to testify for Nigeria concerning former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, in the $2.3 billion disputed Mambilla power contract. Sunrise Power and Nigeria are at loggerheads at the International Chamber of Commerce, ICC, Paris, France, as the company alleges a breach of contract. Sunrise Power said it was awarded a $6 billion contract to build, operate, and transfer in May 2003 by the government of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The company is alleging that the Federal Government of Nigeria repudiated the agreement and is asking for compensation of $2.3 billion.…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPCL) has assured that the projections on crude oil production and price benchmark for the 2024 Budget were realistic and realisable. The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Company, Mr. Mele Kyari, gave the assurance during an interactive session with the Senate Committee on Finance at the National Assembly, Abuja, on Wednesday. Speaking on the dynamics of the market in relation to the projected budget benchmark price of $77.96 per barrel, Kyari said: “With what we see in the market today and potentially in the year 2024 and even beyond the next two…

President Bola Tinubu has approved the suspension, removal, and replacement of the following Chief Executive Officers under the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development: (1) Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Kabir Yusuf Mohammed has been removed from office and replaced with Mrs. Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku as the substantive Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria. (2) Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Mr. Tayib Adetunji Odunowo has been removed from office and replaced with Engr. Umar Ahmed Farouk as the substantive Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday declared a former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, wanted over alleged fraud to the tune of $6bn. Agunloye, who served under the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo as a minister between 1999 and 2003, had earlier been invited and quizzed by the anti-graft agency. Before Agunloye’s invitation by the commission in September, former President Obasanjo had accused him of mismanaging the power project during his tenure specifically on his failure to brief him on the state of the project. Before his invitation, the former minister had in 2016 run…

Villagers of Tudun Biri in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State have sued the Federal Government and demanded N33 billion compensation over the recent army’s airstrikes that killed over 100 persons at the village. The suit was filed on December 8 before a Federal High Court in Kaduna by Alhaji Dalhatu Salihu on behalf of Tudun Biri villagers through their counsel, Mukhtar Usman Esq. The villagers are also demanding an apology to be published in at least three national dailies. They said the suit was to enforce the fundamental rights to life of the survivors of the incident. Among…

Turkish Member of Parliament, Hasan Bismet on Tuesday slumped to the floor after reportedly suffering a heart attack during a plenary session after speaking out strongly against Israel and saying that it would suffer the ‘wrath of Allah.’ In a video posted by Visegrad 24, Mr Hasan is seen slumping to the floor shortly after he attacked the Israeli government for its ongoing attack in Gaza. “Drama in the Turkish Parliament today. The MP Hasan Bismet spoke out strongly against Israel, and shouted about Israeli suffering the ‘wrath of Allah’. Seconds later, he had a heart attack,” Visegrad 24 captioned…

The Federal Government has exempted universities and other tertiary institutions from the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) payment platform. The Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Maman, disclosed this to State House Correspondents on Wednesday. Maman said the decision was taken by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the cabinet meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu and held at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He also said the heads of these institutions got relief to embark on recruitment exercises without recourse to the Head of Service of the Federation. The minister said the president had directed…

Labour and Employment Minister, Simon Lalong is expected to leave his ministerial position to assume a Senate seat, barring any last-minute change. Following a Court of Appeal ruling affirming his win in the Plateau South Senatorial election, there are indications that Lalong is poised to join the Senate. Lalong recently received his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), solidifying his senatorial status. Sources close to Lalong who spoke with Vanguard revealed that the former Plateau State governor and Tinubu Presidential Council director, is preparing to step into his new role in the Senate. According to the source, “The…

One of the 27 Rivers State House of Assembly members who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Linda Somari Stewart, has reversed her decision. Recall that 27 members of the House of Assembly said to be loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and immediate governor of the state, Nyesom Wike, dumped the PDP for the APC. The lawmakers announced their defection at the plenary on Monday, citing division in the PDP as the reason for the move. A source told SaharaReporters on Wednesday that Stewart, the lawmaker representing Okrika in…

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday (today) presented the 2024 budget to the Lagos State House of Assembly. The governor arrived at the assembly complex this afternoon and mounted the podium recognizing dignitaries including royal fathers, captains of industries, religious leaders, heads of government agencies and previous holders of offices within the House of Assembly and current officials. He also thanked the Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, and his colleagues for their support to his administration as he presented the budget of over N2 trillion, which is expected to cover planned capital projects, recurrent expenditure, and anticipated revenue for the fiscal year,…

The Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Olamide Oladiji, has officially acknowledged the receipt of a letter from Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, informing the Assembly about his intention to go on a medical vacation and delegating his powers to his deputy. There were controversies earlier about the said letter as Governor Akeredolu, who is currently unwell departed the country today for another medical leave. Oladiji, however, confirmed to journalists during a press briefing held in Akure, the state’s capital city, on Wednesday that the assembly is now officially informed of the governor’s decision. Oladiji explained that the…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sworn in the Chairman and members of the Federal Civil Service Commission, (FCSC). The FCSC chairman and members were sworn in on Wednesday during the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting inside the State House in Abuja. Those sworn in include Professor Tunji Olaopa as the Chairman and Dr. Dauda Jalo, Edet Eyoma, Chamberlain Nwele, Rufus Godwins and Dr. Adamu Hussein as members. Other members of the commission confirmed by the Senate include Aminu Nabegu, Hindatu Abdullahi, Shehu Aliyu, Odekunle Rukiyat, Princess Sarah Adebisi, and Dr. Festus Oyebade. The new FCSC leadership commenced work on…