Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in Abuja sympathised with former governor of Abia and Chief Whip of the Senate, Mr Orji Uzor Kalu, over the death of his wife, Ifeoma, aged 61. In the condolence message, Buhari commiserated with Kalu and Ifeoma’s family, friends and associates, urging trust in God for comfort and care during the very difficult period of pain and deep reflection. Buhari believed that testimonies given about Ifeoma’s fear of God and charity should provide strength for the family, knowing that she lived well, and served the will of the Almighty. The president prayed for the repose…

The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered an interim forfeiture of the sum of N725,345,897.77 and Plot J 37A 218 Close, 2nd Avenue, Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, linked to former Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Patrick Akpobolokemi. Naija News understands that the legal counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Bilkisu Buhari, earlier filed a petition before the court, stating that the money was illegally diverted from NIMASA. He further told the court that the sum was reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity, while the property was reasonably suspected to have been acquired with…

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Monday received another batch of 144 stranded Nigerians from Niamey in Niger Republic. Dr Nuradeen Abdullahi, NEMA Coordinator Kano Territorial Office, disclosed this while receiving the returnees at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano State. Abdullahi, represented by NEMA Kano Head of Human Resources, Mr Suleiman Sa’ad-Abubakar, said that the returnees arrived at the airport at about 2:30 p.m “The returnees were transported into Nigeria by SKY MALI Airlines, operated by Ethiopian airline B737-400 with registration number UR-CQX” He said that the returnees were brought back under the care of the International…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, has debunked the claim alleging that it paid N20 billion to ghost consultants and was involved in the theft of N18 billion liability tax due to the Ogun state government. On Monday night, Garba Deen Muhammad, NNPL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, disclosed this, saying the company has zero tolerance for fraudulent activities. NNPCL was clarifying an online publication alleging it was involved in the theft of multi-billion naira tax due to Ogun state. The company stated that the matter is already before the Court and it intends to prove its innocence. Muhammad described…

Nigerian champions, Rivers United are $350,000 richer after making it to the quarter-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup. Stanley Eguma’s side finished in second position in Group B following Sunday’s 1-0 defeat ASEC Mimosa at the Yamoussoukro Municipal Stadium. They have been joined in the last eight by seven other clubs. The quarter-final draw will hold at the CAF headquarters in Cairo on Sunday. Meanwhile, Rivers United are back in the country following their clash against ASEC Mimosa. The Pride of Rivers landed in Lagos aboard a Cote d’Ivoire Airline at about 11.45pm Nigeria time.

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, yesterday, warned against any step that can jeopardise the handing over of power to elected officers on May 29, 2023. Afenifere, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Jare Ajayi, said the warning was prompted by reports of steps being taken, that may be prejudicial to the swearing-in of winners of the just concluded elections on May 29. The Directorate of State Services, DSS, last week, confirmed that moves were on to scuttle the planned inauguration.  Afenifere spokesman stated that the organization felt so concerned about the untoward development because of how it…

The incoming administration of Bola Tinubu will decide the date for fuel subsidy removal after the inauguration coming up next month. The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council confirmed this as the current subsidy regime ends in June 2023. President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has already made it known that the subsidy policy would end after the budget for the initiative lapses in June. During his presidential campaign, Tinubu maintained that if elected, his administration would remove fuel subsidy even if Nigerians protested against the policy. However, less than two months before his inauguration, there has been anxiety over his plan for subsidy removal as the…

The Ogun State Police Command has arraigned singer Habeeb Okikiola aka Portable on six counts bordering on assault. The “Zeh” crooner was arraigned at the Ifo High Court in Ogun State on Monday morning. Policemen had on Thursday stormed Portable’s office and the singer had resisted arrest. He was subsequently taken into custody on Friday. The Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi had said portable has more than six charges to attend to apart from resisting arrest and injuring a policeman. He will be charged to court for beating up a guy in Ota, who filed a petition to CP…

Amid the call for an interim government, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, apex Igbo sociocultural organization, on Monday, vowed to support the President-elect, Bola Tinubu. Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, said the call for an interim government is satanic and unconstitutional. Isiguzoro urged the Department of State Services, DSS, to arrest those behind the clamour for an interim government. Isiguzoro said the Igbo apex socio-political organization would never be part of such an evil in Nigeria. According to Isiguzoro: “Ndigbo will never be part of any interim government; the DSS should arrest those behind the scene plotting to have an…

Fulham head coach Marco Silva has reportedly emerged as a surprise candidate to land the vacant Chelsea job after manager Graham Potter was sacked on Sunday night. Chelsea co-owner, Todd Boehly, sacked Potter after the Blues’ Premier League 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday. The result against Aston Villa left Chelsea sitting in 11th position on the Premier League table. However, a number of top managers in Europe have already been linked with the vacant position and a shock candidate from the Premier League has also emerged. According to The Mirror, Silva has admirers at Chelsea and he is…

Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers says he will bow out of office on May 29 as a fulfilled man, having positively impacted the 23 local government areas of the state. The governor charged the incoming administration on stewardship. Wike made the statement during a Thanksgiving Service organized by the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday at All Saints Anglican Cathedral, Rumuokwurusi, Obio/Akpor local government area of the state. Wike said that only a blind man or an enemy of the state would refuse to admit the extent of spread of equitable infrastructure across the state. “If…

These are interesting times as the country faces revenue shortfalls. The Governors of the 36 states of the federation have resolved to meet with all the economic and financial agencies in the country to discuss issues surrounding their states’ security votes. The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), disclosed this in a statement by the Director, Media and Public Affairs NGF Secretariat, Mr. Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, in Abuja on Sunday. Bello-Barkindo said the meeting was with a view to ironing out thorny issues surrounding their states’ security votes, towards establishing a better option of managing the funds. He said that the meeting, according…