Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Rwanda will hold presidential and parliamentary polls on July 15 next year, the election commission said Tuesday, as President Paul Kagame prepares to run for a fourth term in office. The 66-year-old has ruled over the landlocked African nation with an iron fist for decades and was returned to office — with more than 90 percent of the vote — in elections in 2003, 2010 and 2017. He also presided over controversial constitutional amendments in 2015 that allowed him to run for more terms and stay in power until 2034. “Throughout the country, the polling date for the president of…

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has emphasized the urgent need to invest N81 billion in order to complete the construction of Abuja’s second runway. Keyamo said the additional runway is crucial to meet the growing demands of air traffic and enhance the safety and efficiency of operations at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. This was as he disclosed that President Tinubu has approved the purchase of screening machines for the five international airports in the country. Keyamo made the demand when he met with the 10th Assembly joint committee on aviation technology for the 2024 Ministry…

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the posting of Commissioner of Police Fayoade Adegoke Mustapha to the Lagos State Police Command. Adegoke, who just graduated from the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, is to take over from DCP Waheed Ayilara, who had headed the command in an acting capacity. Adegoke was a divisional police officer in charge of the Ilupeju and Ajao Estates divisions at some point in his career. He was also Area Commander, Sango Area Command, Ogun State, and Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of administration at Zone…

Italy legend Giorgio Chiellini has announced his retirement, describing his career as “the most beautiful and intense journey of my life”. The 39-year-old, who captained the Azzurri to their Euro 2020 win, has called time on playing after 23 years. The defender made his name at Juventus and since June 2022 has been playing in Major League Soccer (MLS) with Los Angeles FC. LAFC were beaten 2-1 by Columbus Crew in the MLS Cup final on Saturday. Posting on X, Chiellini added: “You have been my everything. With you I have travelled a unique and unforgettable path. “But now it is time to…

Manchester United’s season of misery plunged even further into the depths of despair as they exited the Champions League at the group stage after defeat by Bayern Munich at Old Trafford. Erik ten Hag’s side, beaten 3-0 at home to Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday, needed to beat the Bundesliga champions and hope that there was no winner in the other group game between Copenhagen and Galatasaray. And even though Bayern were already comfortable winners of Group A, United were still unable to fulfil their part of the bargain on a night of bitter disappointment. United were already…

Real Madrid came from behind to beat Union Berlin and reach the Champions League last 16 with a 100% record. The hosts went ahead through Kevin Volland after goalkeeper Frederik Ronnow saved Luka Modric’s penalty. A win would have taken the Germans into the Europa League play-offs, but former Stoke and Newcastle striker Joselu scored two headers to put Real ahead. Alex Kral’s low shot made it 2-2, before Dani Ceballos finished from Jude Bellingham’s pass for the winning goal. Fourteen-time European champions Real won all six of their Group C matches to end with 18 points, eight more than…

President Bola Tinubu says his administration is prioritizing and improving Nigeria’s health sector through massive investments and the allocation of increased funds to the sector in the proposed 2024 budget. The President made this declaration at the unveiling of Nigeria’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and the signing of the Health Renewal Compact by Federal, State Governments, and Development Partners in Abuja on Tuesday. The event was a part of activities marking Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day, observed annually on December 12. “Delivering improved quality health is an underpinning factor in my promise of Renewed Hope to Nigerians. That hope…

In a bid to ensure better service delivery in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration, the National Council on Privatization (NCP) has set up an ad hoc committee to fast-track the restructuring and resuscitation of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA). The Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, who chaired the maiden meeting of the reconstituted NCP at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, emphasised the importance of the tasks before the new Council, particularly the rejuvenation of BOA, among others. Speaking after the presentation of the agenda and matters arising by the Director General of the Bureau of Public…

The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, on Tuesday inaugurated nine out of the 10 Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) recently appointed by President Bola Tinubu after their clearance by the National Assembly. The swearing-in was held on Tuesday in Abuja during a meeting with RECs. However, the REC appointed from Akwa Ibom State, Etekamba Umoren, was not among those sworn in, as the INEC chairman said his would be done in January 2024 after the expiration of the tenure of incumbent. The INEC boss told the RECs, especially those newly appointed, that the conduct of elections was…

The Senate on Tuesday, December 12, read President Bola Tinubu’s letter seeking the confirmation of the nomination of 19 commissioners of the National Population Commission (NPC). Additionally, the President requested that the red chamber approve the nominations of Babajide Fasina (South-West), Enorense Amadasu (South-South), and Bashir Indabawa (North-West) as NPC commissioners. The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) was given two weeks to provide a report on the nomination by the Senate, which was chaired by Senator Godswill Akpabio. The appointees are: 1. Emmanuel Eke (Abia) 2. Clifford Zirra (Adamawa) 3. Chidi Ezeoke (Anambra) 4. Isa Buratai (Borno) 5. Alex Ukam…

The Federal Government has disclosed plans to deploy drones for monitoring and protection of the country’s vast borders.  The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Caroline Wura-Ola Adepoju, disclosed this on Tuesday while speaking at a press conference where she outlined the activities to mark this year’s International Migrants’ Day. She said the Federal Government was in discussion with a Chinese giant, Huawei, to deploy Artificial Intelligence to secure the borders. The CG allayed fears raised over the use of drones in security operations following the accidental bombing in Kaduna,  explaining that the gadgets would only monitor and…

Universities across the country may witness strikes in 2024 due to the small budget allotted to the education sector and poor remuneration, the Academic Staff Union of Universities has said. Prof. Emmanuel Oshodeke, explained that during the campaign and election earlier this year, President Bola Tinubu promised to increase the Education sector to at least 15 per cent or over. Similarly, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation also recommended for member states, a 26 per cent benchmark allocation for the education sector. He complained that Nigeria was the country with the least remuneration for professors, globally. Oshodeke, however,…