Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has postponed the Bayelsa State governorship election campaign flag-off ahead of the November 11 polls. The governorship campaign flag-off that was slated to be held on Saturday (today) was shifted by the party on Friday night. The development comes after a Federal High Court in Abuja sacked the APC governorship candidate for Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, on the account that he has been sworn in twice as governor of the state, and should he be left to contest and won, there would be a constitutional breach. Despite his sack, the APC, who vowed to appeal and…

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has released an explainer to defend its action of lifting foreign exchange restrictions on the 43 items excluded from accessing foreign exchange from the official market. The apex bank had on Thursday notified the public in a circular that it has lifted the foreign exchange restrictions placed on the importation of 43 items by the former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele. Emefiele had in 2015 blacklisted the 41 items and two other items subsequently from the official forex window to reduce foreign exchange demand for products that could be locally produced, improve employment generation and conserve…

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun on Friday swore in 20 new Commissioners and 22 Special Advisers who would assist him in running the affairs of the state. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the swearing-in ceremony took place in Abeokuta. Speaking during the ceremony, Abiodun urged the Commissioners and Special Advisers to be committed and responsible to the people and be corrupt-free. “You have to prepare for the challenges ahead and see your appointments as a unique privilege, a call to service, and as well reflect excellence in the discharge of your duties,” he said. Abiodun noted that he…

Two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo helped Portugal seal qualification to next summer’s European Championship with three games to spare as the hosts beat Slovakia in Group J in Porto. After Goncalo Ramos’ opener Ronaldo scored a penalty before David Hancko pulled a goal back in the 69th minute. Portugal captain Ronaldo quickly restored his side’s two-goal lead with his 125th international goal. Stanislav Lobotka added a late second for Slovakia but Portugal held on. It means the hosts have won all seven of their Group J qualifying fixtures and join France, Belgium and hosts Germany in securing their spot at Euro 2024.…

Ollie Watkins marked his return to the England side with the winner as Gareth Southgate’s side overcame Australia in a friendly at Wembley. Aston Villa striker Watkins turned in Jack Grealish’s shot from almost on the goalline just before the hour in one of the few positive moments in a largely undistinguished England display. Watkins made amends for hitting the post with a good chance in the first half as Australia paid the price for not taking advantage of several opportunities before the break. In a game which saw Stephanie Frappart become the first female referee to take charge of…

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Bayo Onanuga, a spokesman of his campaign team, as Special Adviser on Information & Strategy. Presidential spokesman, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, announced this in a statement issued on Friday night. “As part of efforts to prioritize effective and efficient working synergy between the Presidency and Federal Ministries, President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointments of professionals who have prior working experience within the architecture of the Federal Ministries they will be coordinating with, in addition to duties that will be carried out at the President’s discretion: “Special Adviser on Information & Strategy. — Mr. Bayo Onanuga…

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva has vowed to, within his first 100 days in office, clear the backlog of salaries reportedly being owed primary school teachers in the state. Sylva who also promised to create jobs to engage the teeming youths and women in the state, during his campaigns to Ekeremor and Aleibiri communities in Ekeremor Local Government Area, regretted that instead of providing jobs, the present state government is sacking workers. The APC candidate while addressing a mammoth crowd at the council headquarters civic centre/square, yesterday, said the APC’s…

Nigeria’s Super Eagles held Saudi Arabia’s Green Falcons to a 2-2 draw in their international friendly at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao. The Super Eagles began the brighter of both sides, with Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface proving to be a thorn in the flesh of the Falcons in the opening stages. The first half ended without either side scoring, with Saudi Arabia coming closest to opening the scoring in Portimao. The Green Falcons began the second half in impressive fashion, and were rewarded with an opener within 15 minutes of the restart. Captain Salman Al-Faraj curled a free-kick towards…

Russia has agreed to build a nuclear power plant in Burkina Faso to boost the energy supply to the West African country. The government of Burkina Faso made this known on Friday, October 13, 2023, as it announced an agreement with the Russian government for the power plant to cover the energy needs of its population. Inadequate energy supply remains one of the challenges confronting the West African nation, with less than a quarter of the country having access to electricity. Burkina Faso fell under the control of a military junta last year, and the new regime had embarked on…

The Kaduna International Airport will soon come alive again, as Air Peace is set to resume its Kaduna operations from October 23, 2023. The airline’s spokesperson, Stanley Olisa, in a statement stated that Air Peace had perfected plans to return to Kaduna on the said date. Olisa also observed that the Kaduna route had been inactive since March 2022 due to security concerns “but the airline is delighted to be resuming connectivity to the city after the 19 months hiatus.” “Kaduna flight schedules are now live on the Air Peace website and tickets are selling already. We are happy to…

President Bola Tinubu has approved the creation of the Federal Capital Territory Civil Service Commission. Nyesom Wike who disclosed this on Friday said the commission would address the many challenges faced by civil servants in the capital city. The approval paves the way for the implementation of the Civil Service Establishment Act (2018). The Commission will be charged with the responsibility for appointment, promotion, discipline, and transfer of civil servants within the Civil Service of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja; and for related matters.

Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State has said he inherited an empty treasury and no single note was handed over to him by his predecessor, former Governor Aminu Tambuwal Aliyu was responding to the deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kanu, who asked how the Governor was able to execute 100 projects in his first 100 days in office during a condolence visit to the state on Thursday. Aliyu, who spoke through his deputy, Engineer Idris Gobir, said it was just a sacrifice as there was nothing in the treasury when they took over about five months ago.…