Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

The Federal Government has announced that it is experiencing enormous challenges and revenue deficit amid a growing population. The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu said that the government is finding it hard to pay salaries. Speaking in Abuja, the Minister called on non-governmental organisations to help the government cover the spaces it could not. Bagudu, represented by the ministry’s Director of International Cooperation, Dr. Sampson Ebimaro, lamented that Nigeria’s population is fast increasing, adding that unemployment is surging amid a high inflation rate. “Government faces enormous challenges especially now; the government is facing a revenue deficit. There is no…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Friday, gave an update on the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timipre Sylva, contesting in the November 11, 2023 governorship election. The electoral body speaking on the controversy around his candidacy, said it is awaiting a final court decision to know the candidate of the APC in the election. A court recently ruled that Sylva can not be the party’s candidate for the November 11 election. Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, gave the verdict in a judgement delivered on the 10th of October, 2023 in the suit filed…

Embattled Pastor of the I Reign Christian Ministry, Bishop  Daniel Oluwafeyiropo, charged with rape of his assistant and one other lady, closed his defence on Friday in Lagos. He, however, pleaded not guilty. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bishop opened a defence on Tuesday and denied the charges. The defendant told the court that the alleged survivors conspired against him to accuse him of the offences. During cross-examination by state counsel, Babajide Boye, on Friday, the defendant reiterated that he believed that the alleged survivors conspired against him. He also denied giving ₦100,000 to one of the…

The Lagos State Government has assured residents of the state of its preparedness to contain any emergencies emanating from the release of water by the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA). The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Wahab also explained the preparedness of the Lagos state government to contain any eventuality that might come with the intensity of the flow of runoff from upland states into Lagos due to the rainfall events since September 2023. Wahab said the state government was capable of managing the consequences of the release of water by OORBDA. According to him, there was…

Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, wants the Federal Government to allow individuals to buy and own weapons such as AK-47 rifles and RPGs for self-defence. The governor, who spoke on Friday during a media chat in Abuja, said that if the bandits wreaking havoc across the country could have access to the market to purchase weapons, individuals should be allowed to own theirs. According to him: “If a bandit can go to the market and buy AK-47, RPG, and all of those weapons, what about the people that want to protect themselves? They, too, should be equally allowed to…

Uefa have fined Galatasaray for the behaviour of their supporters in the side’s Champions League win at Manchester United earlier this month. The Turkish champions have been ordered to pay 51,000 euros (£44,420) after 2,000 of their fans gained access to home sections of Old Trafford. Galatasaray must also cover the costs of damage caused by their fans inside the stadium. The visitors’ official ticket allocation for the game was 2,200. European football’s governing body also placed a one-game ban – suspended for two years – on Galatasaray selling tickets to fans for an away game due to a combination of…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the waiver of the “No Work, No Pay” Order instituted against striking members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on August 1, 2023, following the commencement of their industrial action which began on July 26, 2023. Presidential spokeman, Ajuri Ngelale, announced this in a statement on Friday titled ‘President Tinubu Approves Waiver of the ‘No Work No Pay’ Order on Resident Doctors’. “After several constructive engagements between the Federal Government and NARD, the Resident Doctors called off their strike on August 12, 2023. “The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation…

Chelsea will face Real Madrid in the Women’s Champions League group stage. Emma Hayes’ side, runners-up in 2021, are drawn in Group D alongside the Spanish side, Swedish club BK Hacken and French outfit Paris FC. Real Madrid were quarter-finalists in 2022, while Paris FC knocked out Arsenal and last season’s finalists Wolfsburg in the qualifying rounds. Chelsea, beaten in the semi-finals by champions Barcelona last season, were seeded in pot one as English champions. They are the only British representatives left in the competition after Scottish champions Glasgow City were knocked out in second-round qualifying by Brann. Manchester United were also knocked out…

The Police Command in Lagos State says it will continue to arrest suspected criminals and prepare them for prosecution even if court rejected their arraignment in the state. Hundeyin, who did not confirm if truly courts were rejecting suspects brought by the police officers, however, said that the force would live up to it constitutional responsibilities, which include arrests and prosecution of suspects. “We will continue to do our job, even when the courts do not accept suspects from us. When we take suspects to court and they are rejected, we will take them back to court again. “We are…

Japan winger Kaoru Mitoma has signed a new deal with Brighton that runs until June 2027. The 26-year-old joined the club from Kawasaki Frontale in August 2021 and was then loaned out to Belgium’s Union Saint-Gilloise. Mitoma made his Brighton debut in August 2022 and has 13 goals and 12 assists in 52 outings for the club. “It’s great news. Kaoru is our top player,” said Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi. Mitoma scored seven league goals and registered five assists last season to help Brighton finish sixth in the Premier League as they also secured qualification for the Europa League…

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohunwa has vowed that no harm would befall the #EndSARS memorial protesters as long as they operate within the ambit of the understanding they have with the security agents. CP Owohunwa gave the assurance on Friday while addressing journalists at the 3rd Year Memorial of the #EndSARS protest at Lekki Toll gate on Friday. According to him, citizens have the right to exercise their freedom and the Police must protect them. He added however that the groups visiting the location must however stay clear of any activity that would put the security and peace of Lekki…

Labour Party affiliated lawmakers in the National Assembly have decided to accept the Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) worth ₦160 million each, purchased for federal legislators. Abure, a critic of the luxury vehicles, had urged Labour Party lawmakers to reject the SUVs. However, a faction of the lawmakers opted to accept the vehicles, justifying their decision by stating the crucial role these vehicles play in carrying out their legislative duties. According to these lawmakers, the SUVs are indispensable work tools necessary for conducting oversight functions and visiting constituents, especially in challenging and remote areas. Ngozi Okolie, a prominent Labour Party lawmaker…