The entertainment sector provides a unique opportunity to uplift Africa’s people in various different ways. It can improve lives professionally, financially, psychologically, and ultimately even on a unified national level, writes Fhulu Badugela, Chief Executive Officer for MultiChoice Africa Holdings Entertainment is primarily fun and enjoyable, but it also reflects and creates culture, which binds people together. It is created by scores of highly skilled, talented people working in several adjacent industries. In addition to this, entertainment fires passion and enthusiasm, which not only creates strong business demand, but it can also be used to inform, educate and inspire positive…
Author: Adams Peter
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, says the latest inflation figure of 26.72% and food inflation of 30.6% underscores the incompetence of the Bola A. Tinubu administration. Shaibu said in a statement on Tuesday that Tinubu’s disingenuous removal of petrol subsidy, shoddy exchange rate unification policy, and uninformed introduction of VAT on diesel were among the reasons for the high inflation rate. Atiku’s aide described the eventual removal of VAT on diesel as belated and evidence of the arbitrary nature of Tinubu’s administration. He said Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency on food…
The Association of Nigerian Authors, (ANA) has commended the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, for making the bold move to rename Anambra International Airport after the celebrated global author, Chinụa Achebe. It sends a message of acceptance, diversity, and appreciation and also serves to inspire and encourage a new generation of writers and thinkers. This decision was met with enthusiasm from the authors’ association, who commended the governor for the honour done to the author’s contribution to the literary world. They believe this move will inspire people from different backgrounds to further put their talents to…
The Oyo State government has refuted news by a blog, about purported recruitment into the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, saying it is untrue. The Ag. Executive Secretary, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Mrs. Olaide Ladipo made the clarification in a statement signed on Thursday in Ibadan, the State’s capital. Mrs. Ladipo said “for the umpteenth time, the Oyo state government wishes to inform the teeming public that Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board is not recruiting into any position in the board yet”. She urged members of the public to disregard any information about recruitment, and also…
Reports reaching us states that Senator Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, the Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District, has defected from the Young Progressive Party (YPP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Senator Ubah, the CEO of Capital Oil is a Nigerian business mogul, politician and philanthropist. He was elected under the Young Progressive Party (YPP) in 2019 and re-elected under the same platform in the 2023 General Election. Details shortly.
In a significant move, President Bola Tinubu, exercising his authority as established in section 2 (3) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004, has made key appointments within the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The President has appointed Mr. Ola Olukoyede as the Executive Chairman of the EFCC and Mr. Muhammad Hassan Hammajoda as the Secretary of the Commission. Mr. Ola Olukoyede, a seasoned lawyer with more than twenty-two years of experience in regulatory compliance consulting, as well as specialization in fraud management and corporate intelligence, has been nominated as the Executive Chairman of the EFCC.…
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s Special Assistant on Public Communications, Phrank Shaibu, has lambasted the BBC over its fact-check report wherein it stated that there was no evidence to show that President Bola Tinubu’s Chicago State University was forged. In a statement on Wednesday, Shaibu described the resort as a hatchet job, adding that the outrage it had solicited from the generality of Nigerians was enough evidence to show that the BBC goofed. Atiku’s aide said the BBC’s move was not surprising as it was in line with a previous statement he had issued wherein he had revealed that the…
The Movement for the Advancement of National Transformation, MANTRA, has called on the federal government to set Mazi Nnamdi Kanu free as a major step towards addressing the agitations in the southeast. The group made the call as a fallout of the release of Mr Sunday Adeyemo also known as Sunday Igboho, a Yoruba nation activist, by the Beninese government. Recall the DSS reported that Sunday Igboho and his lieutenants engaged officers of the secret police in a fierce gun battle on July 1, 2021 at his residence in Soka, Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State after which he was…
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential elections has put out a call to president Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reintroduce himself to Nigerians. In a press conference today, Peter Obi reacting to the trail of events surrounding Tinubu’s Chicago State University certificate and identity crisis, said Tinubu did nothing wrong if he has had a change of name at any time. Obi said that there is no need for court affidavit, court process, agents or surrogate to speak for Tinubu. It only requires a direct personal statement from Tinubu to lay to rest once…
A multitude of media aides can’t save the reputation of President Bola Tinubu, which is currently drowning in scandals, Phrank Shaibu, the Special Assistant to the former Vice President and Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, has said. Shaibu said this in a statement on Monday while reacting to the establishment of a new media directorate and the appointment of an additional five aides by the Tinubu administration. The new aides include Mr. Fela Durotoye (Senior Special Assistant to the President — National Values & Social Justice); Mr. Fredrick Nwabufo (Senior Special Assistant…
In a verdict delivered on Monday at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos, a Lagos High Court has declared Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Drambi Vandi guilty of the murder of Lagos lawyer and realtor, Bolanle Raheem, which took place on Christmas day, December 25, 2022. Justice Ibironke Harrison, in her judgment, convicted Vandi on the charges brought against him by the Lagos state prosecution. Consequently, Justice Harrison sentenced Vandi to death by hanging. The judge, addressing Vandi directly, stated, “I hereby pronounce that you, Drambi Vandi, shall be executed by hanging until death. May God have mercy on you.”…
Dilapidated Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway: MURIC Sends SOS to President Tinubu* (MURIC), a faith-based Islamic human rights group in Lagos and Ogun States have issued a joint press statement in which they decried the deplorable condition of the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway, an 81-kilometre federal highway which has continued to be a death trap, dangerous, inaccessible and time-consuming route. In a joint press statement released on Friday 6th October 2023 by Dr Busari Jamiu Muhammad Ademola and Alhaji Jimoh Tajudeen Alao who are the chairmen of Lagos and Ogun MURIC respectively, they decried the conditions of the expressway as worrisome. The Statement reads: “We,…
President Bola Tinubu has sent good wishes and felicitations to the Paramount Ruler of the Berom Kingdom, Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, as the revered traditional ruler marks his 72nd birthday on October 10, 2023. The President joined the family, friends and associates of the former Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) in celebration, while acknowledging the important contributions of the elder statesman to community, state and national development with particular respect to the enhancement of peace, harmony and mutual co-existence in the country. President Tinubu commended the royal father for his consistent service to the country,…
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, says the Bola Tinubu administration has perfected an elaborate and sinister plot to gag the media ahead of the release of the records containing his criminal investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Shaibu said in a statement on Sunday that the Tinubu administration had become frustrated with the Chicago State University scandal and was planning a massive offensive in the coming days. Atiku’s aide added that the threat by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to sanction Arise Television News was only a tip of the iceberg.…
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has strongly supported a call by the African Development Bank Group urging countries in Africa to stop borrowing loans backed by their natural resources. The IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva met Thursday with the President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire. It is the first time an IMF head has visited the Bank headquarters since its establishment in 1964. Welcoming Georgieva, Adesina said, “the natural resource-backed loans are non-transparent, expensive and make debt resolution difficult.” He warned that if the trend continues, “it will be a disaster for Africa.”…
By Ezra Joshua As Nigerians continue to monitor the resumption and eventual take-off of the newly appointed Ministers in their respective Ministries, the time is apposite for a consideration and review of the past administration and its principal dramatis personae because, as Chinua Achebe wrote, “a man who does not know where the rain began to beat him cannot say where he dried his body.” This brief write-up will focus on one of President Buhari’s visionary creations and flagship ministries, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. The Ministry, established on August 21, 2019 by His Excellency…
Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has advocated for unity and understanding among Christians of different denominations, with the aim of achieving a shared vision and mission. Governor Soludo made the call when he received in audience, the Apostolic Nuncio to the Czech Republic, Most Reverend Jude Thaddeus Okolo at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia. According to the Governor, as the world faces various challenges today, promoting ecumenism becomes more important than ever. He highlighted the role of Christians in promoting peace and justice in the world, particularly amid the growing political and social tensions, stressing on the need to…
Contrary to widely held fears that the increased use of artificial intelligence (AI) will lead to massive job losses globally, a Nigerian AI expert has stated that the fears are exaggerated. Professor Bart Nnaji, Nigeria’s former Minister of Science and former Distinguished Professor of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering at the University of Massachusetts where he was also the Director of the Robotics and Automation Laboratory, told participants in the 2023 Annual Public Service Lecture of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) today that those who are likely to be affected adversely by the impending AI Revolution are “those who…
The Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Okey Ahaiwe, who was running against Governor Alex Otti in the Abia State election, has had his three grounds for appeal dismissed by the Umuahia-based election petition tribunal. Otti’s election as governor by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has been contested by Ahaiwe. Ahaiwe’s case was rejected by the tribunal for lack of merit when it handed down its judgment at approximately 1:20 pm. Ahaiwe had pleaded with the court to dismiss Otti and recognize him as the victor in his petitions through his attorney, Paul Ananaba, SAN. Among other things, the PDP candidate…
Being text of a press conference by His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar (GCON), Waziri Adamawa, Vice President of Nigeria (1999-2007) and Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (2023), at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre on the 5th of October 2023. Protocol Gentlemen of the Press, Fellow Citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I consider it important to address and report to you today on issues that define the future of elective government and legitimate leadership in our country. Political leadership and active citizenship matter because they are ways through which we all work together to build a country that works…
Three teachers from Oyo state, won awards in various categories of the 2023 Presidential Teachers and School Excellence Award at the Eagle’s square, Abuja. This was announced by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Salihu Abdulwaheed Adelabu, during the celebration of the World Teachers’ Day celebration. He added that the Oyo State awardees are part of the winners who were drawn from different public and private primary and secondary schools across the country. Prof. Abdulwaheed Adelabu was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Adeniyi Olusanjo at an event organized to mark the 2023 World Teachers’…
The Association of Meter Manufacturers of Nigeria (AMMON) has formally withdrawn a court case it instituted to stop the procurement process for phase two of the National Mass Metering Program (NMMP). This decision was taken after the intervention of the Hon Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu at a stakeholder meeting held at the Federal Ministry of Power on Tuesday, where all the association’s concerns were tabled before the Minister. In attendance at the stakeholders’ meeting were the Chairman, NERC, represented by Mr. Nathan Shatti; Commissioner, Finance and Administration, Dr. Alex Okoh; the Director General, BPE, the Managing Director of the…
POLL: Tinubu’s Independence Day Speech and Controversy Over Review Of Erisco Foods’ Nagito Tomato Mix We conduct regular polls as part of our efforts at making sure that everyone’s voice is heard on contentious issues of the day. This week , we are running polls on Tinubu’s Independence Day Speech and the controversy over the Review of Erisco Foods’ Nagito Tomato Mix. The polls will run from October 4th – 10th, 2023. Be part of it! 1. Tinubu’s Independence Day Speech Rate President Tinubu’s Independence Day Speech? Vote Below: This Poll will Run from 4th – 10th October, 2023 2.…
A call has gone to lawmakers in the Houses of Assembly throughout Nigeria to repeal dethronement clauses in the laws of their respective states. According to the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) which made the call, this will make it impossible for governors to depose traditional rulers. The call was made in a statement to the media signed by the group’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Wednesday, 4th October, 2023. The statement reads : “Past and recent events command attention to the plight of traditional rulers in Nigeria. Some of them have been deposed. Others were harassed, intimidated and humiliated. All…
In a recent poll by the online newspaper, The News Chronicle, readers were equally divided on whether President Tinubu performed poorly or had a fair performance during his first 100 days in office. While 16 respondents scored him ‘fair’, the same number of respondents also rated his performance as ‘poor’. Remarkably none of the respondents thought the President’s performance was ‘Good’ or ‘Very good’. Respondents were given four options to choose from: Poor, Fair, Good or Very good. The poll was conducted between September 25 and October 1 2023.
A poll on the outpouring of grief over the death of the up-and-coming musician, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, known professionally as MohBad, has found that most Nigerians are hypocrites who would prefer to celebrate people only when they are dead rather than when they are alive. Respondents were asked whether they thought that the outpouring of grief over Mohbad’s death meant that (a) Nigerians are hypocrites who celebrate people only when they are dead rather than when they are alive (b) that despite our differences Nigerians tend to unite over acts of injustice and (c) that outside politics Nigerians really love…
Ahead of the 28th United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP 28), the African Development Bank Group has launched country-by-country economic reports to guide African policymakers in their discussions at the global event. The new Country Focus Reports (CFRs) provide analysis and policy recommendations to strengthen countries’ active participation at COP 28, which takes place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 30 November to 12 December. The theme of the reports is “Mobilising private sector finance for climate and green growth in Africa”. The reports foster policy dialogue on macroeconomic performance and outlook and provide insights on mobilising private sector and…
The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Mr. Peter Obi has described the naming of the Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport after the late Literary Giant, Prof. Chinua Achebe by the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, as a most delightful and welcome development. In a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, Obi stated that Achebe’s towering stature as a global literary pioneer and icon was deserving of such recognition. The former Anambra governor thanked Soludo for the decision. “The renaming of the Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport to Chinua…
President Bola Tinubu has approved N35,000 provisional wage award for all treasury-paid federal government workers for six months, following further consultations with the Federal Government delegation that met with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) earlier on Sunday. It will be recalled that at the meeting between both parties, the Federal Government pledged its commitment to fast-track the provision of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to ease public transportation difficulties associated with the removal of PMS subsidy. The Federal Government also committed to the provision of funds for micro and small-scale enterprises as…
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the former Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Staff, General Ipoola Alani Akinrinade (rtd), on the occasion of his 84th birthday anniversary on October 3, 2023. The President offered his heartfelt tribute to the highly esteemed elder statesman for his remarkable and enduring contributions to the advancement of Nigeria, both during his military service and as a civic leader following his retirement from active duty. Recalling General Akinrinade’s excellent service to the nation during his time serving as an Honourable Minister in the Federal Ministries of Agriculture, Water Resources, Industries, and Transport, the…
