Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has said that 25 political associations have applied to be registered as political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections. He said this on Tuesday in Abuja at the Public Presentation of the ‘NEEDS Assessment of Political Parties in Nigeria’, organised by the Kukah Centre and the European Union (EU). He was represented by a National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC, Mr. Sam Olumekun. “Despite harsh criticism that INEC has passed through, especially in the last couple of months, we have the…

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Interior, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, on Wednesday, asked the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to pay more attention to the issue of illegal expatriates smuggled into the country. Oshiomhole stated this when the minister led top officials of his ministry and heads of agencies under his supervision to defend their 2024 budget proposal. The committee chairman specifically alleged that expatriates including those committed to prisons in their various countries are currently in Nigeria working at construction sites. Oshiomhole said: “Many non Nigerians are in the country, some of them live inside containers. “I even believe and…

A coalition of over 10,000 indigenes of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and civil society groups descended on the National Assembly on Wednesday, clamouring for the resignation of Nyesom Wike, the current FCT Minister. The protest, organized by the Network of Civil Societies for Economic Sustainability, cited Wike’s alleged incompetence and lack of vision for the capital city as the primary reasons for their demand. The crowd, described as the largest in the history of FCT protests, carried placards and banners expressing their dissatisfaction with Wike’s leadership. Addressing the gathering, the group’s convener, Adamu Kabir Matazu, characterised the former Rivers…

The Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila has denounced trending reports of a N10 billion provision in the 2024 budget for the renovation of his official residence. Gbajabiamila in a statement released on Wednesday said the reports of such budgetary provision are false and erroneous. Earlier reports had claimed that the President’s Chief of Staff was set to spend N10 billion for the reconstruction and repair of his official residence in Abuja but the former House of Representatives Speaker clarified that he lives in his personal house in Abuja and there is no provision in the 2024 Appropriation Bill for…

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended the appointment of 11 persons as Justices of the Supreme Court. The NJC also recommended the appointment of 1 Justice of the Court of Appeal, 6 heads of Court and 26 other judicial officers. The decision on the recommendations was taken at a meeting of the council on Wednesday, 6th December 2023 according to a statement released by the NJC Director of Information, Soji Oye. According to him, the National Judicial Council, at its 104th meeting held on Wednesday, considered the list of candidates presented by its Interview Committee and at the end of deliberations, recommended…

Vice President Kashim Shettima has given his nod to the adoption of a non-kinetic approach to tackling insecurity in the South East region of the country. The Vice President stated this on Tuesday when he received a delegation led by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa. The delegation under the auspices of Peace In South East Project (PISE-P) visited the VP to present the initiative and invite him for the launch of the project that proposes a non-kinetic solution to the crisis in the South East…

In line with the national drive for citizen reorientation, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has constituted a committee to finalise Nigeria’s Values Charter. Nigeria’s Values Charter embodies a social contract between the country and its citizens. It will serve as a blueprint and policy for a national value system, defining us as Nigerians and undergirding our personality as citizens. The new policy, to be unveiled in early 2024 by President Tinubu, consists of the Nigerian Promise and the Citizen Codes, which have seven pillars each. The government intends to incorporate these values into formal, informal, and…

Super Falcons on Tuesday sealed a spot in next year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with a 2-1 win against Cape Verde at the Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde in Praia. The Nigerian side had been ruthless in their reverse encounter at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja last Thursday. with an emphatic 5-0 victory courtesy of a  brace from Uchenna Kanu, Esther Okoronkwo, and Gift Monday rounding things up. Justin Madugu’s side were still missing star striker Asisat Oshoala, as well as defender, Ashleigh Plumptre, and were hoping for a repeat show.  However, the hosts had other plans and made their intentions…

Minister of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, says it will cost about $2bn to lay fibre optics cables across Nigeria. The minister, who was a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Tuesday, also said advanced technology, the Fifth-Generation (5G) network, exists in Nigeria. He, however, said the infrastructure that supports the advanced technology is not everywhere in the country. He said it would cost about $2bn to wire the whole of Nigeria for the seamless experience of the 5G network. Tijani said the government is doing everything possible to increase the kilometre of fibre optics cables in Nigeria.…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) has signed a deal at the ongoing COP28 climate change summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. On Wednesday, December 6, 2023, the Nigerian petroleum body announced via its official X handle that “At COP28 in Dubai, NNPC Ltd. Seals LNG Deals for Domestic, International Markets.” “Agreement on 421 Tonnes Per Day Small-Scale LNG Project in Ajaokuta and MoU on Floating LNG.” Details Shortly…

The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has been ranked as the most powerful woman in Africa on Forbes. In its 20th annual ranking released on Tuesday, Forbes showcased a diverse array of influential figures, spanning CEOs, entertainers, politicians, philanthropists, and policymakers. According to the rankings, Ms Okonjo-Iweala, a prominent Nigerian, is positioned at 87th place in the Most Powerful Women in the world list, surpassing Mpumi Madisa, a South African businesswoman at 88th. Joining this distinguished list are Tanzanian President, Samia Hassan at the 93rd spot and Nigerian media mogul and philanthropist, Mo Abudu at 98th. The most powerful…

Newcastle United and England goalkeeper Nick Pope requires shoulder surgery and is expected to be out for four months. The 31-year-old dislocated his shoulder when he dived to make a save during the closing stages of Newcastle’s 1-0 win over Manchester United on Saturday. Manager Eddie Howe said there is “still a chance” Pope could return before next summer’s European Championships. “He’s naturally down because we’ve got huge games coming up and he’s got the Euros ahead of him,” Howe said. “We’re thinking of him because it’s another strange injury for us. There’s no doubt he needs an operation so he…