Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says Nigeria’s target of ending open defecation by 2025 could not be attained due to the slow pace of activities geared towards achieving the goals. To this end, the humanitarian organisation noted that it would take Nigeria up to 2046 to meet the national road map on open defecation free. The UNICEF Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) specialist at the Zonal office in Lagos, Monday Johnson, disclosed this on Wednesday in Ibadan, Oyo State, during a two-day media dialogue with South West journalists. The media dialogue on ‘Eliminating Open Defecation in Nigeria’ was organised…

The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, has said the President Bola Tinubu-led government is a stunt believer in press freedom, and has no intention to gag the media. The minister made this submission on Wednesday to State House correspondents shortly after he briefed President Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja. According to him, even though the federal government has no intention to gag the press, it was not an excuse for Nigerians to use unpatriotic words online because freedom of the press comes with a certain level of responsibility. Iddris said, ‘That is a very delicate line to toe. While…

Ola Olukoyede, the new Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, during his screening at the Senate on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, told senators to champion the fight against corruption. While fielding questions from the lawmakers, Olukoyede urged the senators to ensure the anti-corruption fight starts from the National Assembly. He said he was ready to work diligently no matter whose ox is gored. Olukoyede said, “Let the fight against corruption begin from this hallowed chamber. If you are fighting corruption, you become the enemy of everybody.” He submitted that anti-corruption agencies should focus more on prevention rather…

About Fifty female orphans under the Zamfara state Ministry of Women, Children and Social Development Affairs are set to be married out by the first lady of the state, Hajiya Huriyya Dauda Lawal . This was contained in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant, SSA Media and Communication, office of the Governor’s wife, Zara’u Musau. She said that the First Lady made the declaration when she visited the orphanage home in Gusau, promising to cater for the upbringing and well-being of the orphans in the State. The statement further stated that the administration of Governor Dauda Lawal will do…

Brazil and Al Hilal forward Neymar will have surgery after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament while on international duty. The 31-year-old went off in tears after injuring his knee during the 2-0 defeat by Uruguay on Tuesday. Neymar landed awkwardly after challenging Nicolas de la Cruz for the ball in the first half in Montevideo. Al Hilal said medical tests “confirmed the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus tear injury in his knee”. It is unclear how long Neymar will be out for.

President Bola Tinubu, on behalf of the government and people of Nigeria, has extended warm greetings to former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Rtd), on the occasion of his 89th birthday anniversary. Tinubu, in a statement released on Wednesday (today) through his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, acknowledged and celebrated the elder statesman for his visionary leadership, which has played a significant role in shaping important milestones in Nigeria’s history. Gowon will clock 89 years of age on Thursday, October 19, 2023. Felicitating the former military leader, President Tinubu commended General Gowon for his efforts in institutionalizing the peace process in Nigeria, leaving behind…

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Wednesday pledged continued support for the maintenance and development of the Abuja National Mosque. Wike made the promise when the Abuja National Mosque Management Board, led by its Chairman, the Etsu Nupe (the chief of Nupe people), Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, visited him in Abuja. The minister assured the board members that the FCT Administration would not hesitate to support the maintenance of the Mosque, which has been declared a National Monument. “No government will hesitate to support the maintenance of a National Monument, be it for Christians or Muslims. “I…

President Bola Tinubu has given the approval for the commencement of academic activities of six out of the 14 new universities established in the last days of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. The Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, made this known on Wednesday, after a closed-door meeting with President Tinubu at the State House, Abuja. Prof Mamman stated that the initial phase will involve the launch of two universities in the field of agriculture, two as colleges of education, and two focusing on the field of medicine. According to him: “There are very many, probably about a dozen of them, if…

Vice President Kashim Shettima, on Wednesday, said Nigeria would leverage its relationship with China to adopt programmes that would improve the country’s digital space, among other benefits. This is contained in a statement issued by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice-President. Shettima spoke in his keynote address, themed, “Digital Economy As A New Source Of Growth,” which was delivered during the High-Level Forum at the ongoing Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, China. He also assured member countries of the Belt and Road Initiative of Nigeria’s readiness…

Forward Jenni Hermoso has been named in the Spain squad for the first time since winning the World Cup. Ex-Spanish football federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales kissed Hermoso during the World Cup trophy presentation, which she says was not consensual. The kiss sparked outcry and Rubiales eventually resigned and was given a restraining order. Spain are set to play Italy and Switzerland in the Nations League. Spain’s World Cup success this summer was overshadowed by Rubiales’ actions during the celebrations after the final whistle. When new head coach Montse Tome named a squad for the Nations League fixtures in September…

The Senate has vowed to review the Act establishing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, disclosed this while noting that the EFCC was more of a persecuting agency than a prosecution agency. Akpabio disclosed this during the confirmation of Olu Olukayode and Mohammed Hamajoda, as Chairman and Secretary of the EFCC, respectively, on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday. Narrating his ordeal, Akpabio said he was targeted by political opponents in the buildup to the 2023 general elections. He said a frivolous petition was written against him and he wrote back to state…

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says a total of 30-kilometre roads will be constructed across the six Area Councils of the FCT. Wike, who stated this when Sen. Philip Aduda and Zakari Dobi visited him in his office in Abuja on Wednesday. Aduda was the immediate past Senator that represented FCT in the Senate in the 9th Assembly under the Peoples Democratic Party. He recontested the seat along with Dobi, who contested under the All Progressives Congress but lost to Sen. Ireti Kingibe of the Labour Party. The minister said that the 30-kilometre roads, five in each of the six…