President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday inaugurated the National Economic Council (NEC), to oversee the economic plans of his administration for the next four years. The inauguration was held at the council chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Speaking during the inauguration, Buhari urged NEC members to ensure that security, education, health and agriculture are actively implemented and closely monitored. According to Buhari, the implementation of these programmes would ensure a more peaceful and prosperous Nigeria. Read full text of Buhari’s speech below: “I am delighted to be with you this afternoon to inaugurate the National Economic Council (NEC). NEC is…
Author: Emmanuel Anthony
President Muhammadu Buhari has reappointed Mr. Ahmed Idris as the Accountant General of the Federation. The Director, Communications, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHoSCF), Mrs. Wunmi Ogunmosunle, made the announcement in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja. The appointment will take effect from June 25. The statement read: “The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Mr. Ahmed Idris for the second and final term of four years as Accountant General of the Federation, AGF, in accordance with Section 171 of the 199 Constitution of Nigeria…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) received N1.47 billion to replace and maintain computer servers for use during the 2019 general elections the same servers the commission claimed it did not use in the election. It is not clear though how the servers, which store computer data, were used during the polls. But the finding raises fresh concerns over the commission’s recent claim it had no server for the elections to show any candidate in the 2019 elections. Determining whether the commission operated a central computer database that received election results has become central to the 2019 presidential election dispute,…
The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan has appointed Babagana Muhammad Aji and Festus Adedayo as his Chief of Staff and Special Adviser on Media and Publicity respectively. This was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the Senate President on Administration, Dr. Betty Okoroh. The appointments are with immediate effect. “The appointments were made based on merit, experience, track record and competency of Aji and Adedayo needed by the Senate President in executing his planned legislative agenda,” the statement said. Aji, who is currently an Administrative Coordinator of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Outreach Services, holds a Master’s Degree…
Imo state governor, Emeka Ihedioha, has suspended all the 27 Local Government Area Chairmen, their deputies and the 645 councilors in the state. The governor also suspended all the political appointees of the 27 LGAs of the state. A statement issued in Owerri by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Chibuike Onyeukwu, said that the governor’s action was in pursuant to the provisions of Sections 4, 5, and 6 of the Local Government Administration as amendment law, 2019 and S.73(3) of Imo State Local Government Administration Law No 15 of 2000 as amended. Consequently, the governor has set up Interim…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has promised that members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) who distinguished themselves during the 2019 general election will get automatic employment. INEC said those who will participate in the Bayelsa and Kogi governorship elections scheduled for November will get the same reward. INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, spoke on Monday in Abuja during the presentation of laptops and phones used by the European Election Observation Mission to 75 corps members who were selected by a panel of NYSC and EU delegation.
A group of lawmakers drawn from various parties are heading to court over alleged proof of vote-buying and gross impunity by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Sani Omolori. Omolori, who supervised the June 11 election of Speaker and Deputy Speaker in the House of Representatives, is being accused of having condoned impunity among the lawmakers. The spokesman of the new group, Honourable Mark Terseer Gbillah (PDP, Gwer West/Gwer East Federal Constituency, Benue state), in a statement on Monday, said G-70 was an apolitical group of House members across party lines who are after truth, transparency and the protection…
About three weeks after leaving office, former governors, ministers and lawmakers have yet to return their diplomatic passports. According to the law, holders of such passports are required to return them to the Nigeria Immigration Service at the expiration of their tenure. It was gathered that most of the holders of the diplomatic passports were illegally holding on to them. A diplomatic passport holder has free access to diplomatic lounges and consul licence number plate, among other privileges. It was also learnt that ex-commissioners, top Federal Civil Service officials and council bosses were among those yet to surrender their diplomatic passports. It was learnt that only former…
The Kaduna State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has adjourned hearing in the main petition of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to Monday, June 17. The tribunal adjourned to allow respondents in the petition time to study and verify documents the petitioners presented as evidence before the Tribunal. Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Ibrahim Bako, announced the adjournment at the resumed hearing in the main petition of the PDP on Saturday in Kaduna. Bako said the three respondents: Gov. Nasiru El-Rufa’i, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were not privy to the documents brought before…
The Supreme Court has declared Mohammed Sani Musa the winner of the last election for the Senate held in the Niger-East Senatorial District of Niger State. By the ruling, the court set aside the April 8, 2019 judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja, which declared Senator David Umaru, ex-Chairman, Senate Committee Chairman on Justice, Human Rights and Legal Matters, the valid candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who was earlier declared winner. In a unanimous judgment on Friday, a five-man panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, upheld arguments by Musa’s legal team, led by…
The Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Ikeja on Friday struck out an application challenging the victory of James Faleke, representing Ikeja Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. The Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Kunaza Hamidu, struck out the application following a motion filed by the petitioner, Mutiu Okunola, a candidate of the PDP, who ran against Faleke in the election. Okunola, who defected to the APC, had raised a petition against Faleke, the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He had sought a reversal of Faleke’s victory, asking the tribunal to declare him winner of the election.…
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), on Thursday called for the impeachment of Senator Ovie-Omo-Agege as the Deputy Senate President. It said the credibility of the 9th Senate would be eroded if Omo-Agege was not impeached, adding that the National Assembly would remain a “mere political circus ring and a charade even.” HURIWA stated this while describing the election of Senator Omo-Agege as the Deputy Senate President and Femi Gbajabiamila as Speaker of the House of Representatives as a desecration of the legislative arm of government when the duo are “yet to fully and transparently clear their names against…
Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, has told President Muhammadu Buhari and other African leaders that it doesn’t take decades to fight corruption. He added that they must refocus their efforts and passion on creating value, wealth and should stop fighting corruption endlessly. Speaking at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) summit in Abuja, Kagame congratulated Buhari on his victory at the poll and said Nigeria must share resources equitably, so everyone can join the fight against corruption. He also called on the president and other attendees to add value, create wealth, while fighting corruption, and not merely to fight corruption.…
President Mohammadu Buhari yesterday renamed the Abuja national stadium after thelate Moshood Abiola. Buhari made the declaration in his June 12 Democracy Day celebration speech on Wednesday. He said the decision was taken to honour and immortalise the acclaimed winner of June 12, 1993, general election. The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was spotted among Nigerian leaders who attended the Democracy Day at the Eagles Square. Also in attendance were the Ooni of Ife, Enitan Ogunwosi II, former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola andJim Ovia.However, all former Nigerian presidents were…
The Super Falcons on Wednesday boosted Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the next round in the ongoing FIFA Women World Cup in France with a 2-0 victory over South Korea. The first goal arrived in the first half when South Korean defender Kim Doyeon kicked the ball into her own neat following strong pressing by Falcons striker Desire Oparanozie. Barcelona’s striker Asishat Oshoala scored a beautifully taken solo goal in the second half after a counter attack by the team. A draw against hosts France in the next game will see Nigeria proceed to the next round. Meanwhile, Manchester United…
Senators Ahmed Lawan and Omo-Agege as well as Hon Femi Gbajabiamila and Idris Wase have emerged as Senate President, Deputy Senate President as well as Speaker and Deputy Speakers of the House of Representatives respectively. Senator Ahmed Lawan is representing Yobe North Constituency. Lawan secured victory with 79 votes. He defeated his opponent, Ali Ndume representing Borno South who got 28 votes. Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan is a Nigerian senator who represents the All Progressive Congress in the Yobe North Constituency of Yobe State. He became a senator in 2007. He received a bachelor’s degree in geography from the University of Maiduguri,…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued Certificate of Return to ex-Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha. The commission obeyed the directive after its management meeting on Tuesday. Okorocha had stormed the National Assembly Complex to have talks with the clerk of the National Assembly and to have him inaugurated as Senator but was denied access into the inauguration proper after it emerged that a high court sitting in Imo state directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to issue him a certificate of return. It would be recalled that Rochas Okorocha was elected as senator-elect for Imo…
Six lawmakers of the Imo State House of Assembly, on Monday, decamped to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The lawmakers announced their defections in a letter they addressed to the Speaker and read by the clerk of the House during plenary. Five of them dumped the Action Alliance (AA), while the sixth person was a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). The AA lawmakers who decamped to the PDP are: Mike Iheanaetu (Aboh Mbaise), Victor Onyewuchi (Owerri West), Ken Agbim (Ahiazu Mbaise) Lloyd Chukwuemeka (Owerri North) and Bruno Ukoha (Ezinihittte Mbaise) Chiji Collins (Isiala Mbano) defected from APGA…
The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) has dismissed a petition challenging the victory of by President Muhammadu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the presidential election. The Coalition for Change (C4C) and its presidential candidate, Geff Chizee Ojinika, had filed the petition marked: CA/PEPTL/003/2019, in which they complained of unlawful exclusion or misrepresentation and sought the cancellation of the election and the conduct of a fresh presidential election. The petitioners had complained that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) printed CC and against its actual acronym of C4C, a development, they claimed worked to their disadvantage. …
Chinedum Orji, son of Theodore Orji, former governor of Abia state, has emerged speaker of the State House of Assembly. Orji, who was the majority leader emerged speaker on Monday after being nominated by Munachim Alozie of Ugwunagbo state constituency. The nomination was seconded by Ginger Onwusibe of Isialangwa north respectively constituency. The father of the new speaker was governor of the state from 2007 to 2015. He is currently the senator-elect for Abia central. In his acceptance speech, Orji said the 7th Abia assembly will be vibrant and result oriented. “We are the house of the people, by the…
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has emerged as the Chairman of the African Union’s International Summit Council for Peace (ISCP). Jonathan also urged AU to set minimum acceptable standards for appointing the leadership of electoral commissions as a means of building citizen confidence and ensuring credibility of elections on the continent. The former President spoke at the weekend at the International Leadership Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he emerged as the chairperson of the newly inaugurated ISCP, a body made up of mainly African former Presidents and ex-Heads of State. The two-day conference tagged ‘Africa Summit and Leaders Conference 2019’ has in…
The crisis between Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State and the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi ll has finally been resolved following a reconciliatory meeting between the two in Abuja. This is contained in a statement by Mr Abba Anwar, the Chief Press Secretary to Ganduje and made available to the newsmen in Kano on Saturday. According to Anwar, the reconciliatory meeting was initiated by the Kano-born business mogul Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the Chairman of Nigeria’s Governors’ Forum, Dr Kayode Fayemi. He said after the meeting, the duo exchanged pleasantries with each other in Abuja at the weekend.…
Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr, led no fewer than 25 players in the team’’ camp in Asaba to the 2nd Stephen Keshi Memorial Lecture held in the Delta capital on Friday. Keshi died in June 2017 and the memorial lecture was instituted by the National Association of Nigeria Professional Footballers. The theme of the memorial lecture is “Life after Football: What Does the Country Owe Our Ex-Internationals?” The eagles are currently camping in Asaba ahead of the friendly match with the Warriors of Zimbabwe on Saturday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba. Rohr, at the sideline of the event, lauded…
Some senators-elect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Young Progressives Party (YPP) have declared support for Sen. Ahmad Lawan’s Senate Presidency ambition. The opposition parties’ senators-elect at the occasion on Friday included Clifford Odia (PDP-Edo), Mathew Urhoghide (PDP-Edo) and Gershom Bash (PDP-Cross River). Others were Abba Moro (PDP-Benue), Lawali Anka (PDP-Zamfara) and Ifeanyi Ubah (YPP-Anambra). Many APC senators-elect were also at the occasion. Speaking with newsmen shortly after the event in Abuja, Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah of YPP said Lawan remains the most experience and competent senator to assume the office of the senate president. “He has the experience, he…
A High Court sitting in Ilorin has sentenced two applicants to one-year in prison each for posing as white women to swindle job seekers. The presiding judge, Justice Sikiru Oyinloye sentenced Johnson Okuselu, 23 and Saheed Olanrewaju, 25 after they pleaded not guilty without an option of fine. Oyinloye said the sentence followed a plea bargain agreement, entered upon by the prosecution and defence counsel and the evidence admitted into court. “Following the accused acceptance of guilt, I, therefore, sentence you to a year in prison each in Oke-kura prison yard,” the judge ruled. Earlier, the Economic and Financial Crimes…
President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with Pastor William Kumuyi of Deeper Life Bible Church as he turns 78 years. Buhari in a congratulatory message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Thursday, recalled his meeting with the respected cleric. The president said that he met Kumuyi at the State House, Abuja, last October, during which the latter shared deep insights about the country. He also recalled that the cleric had used the opportunity to pray with him and for the entire country, particularly in respect of the then forthcoming general elections. He…
The world famous RnB star, R.Kelly has appeared in a Chicago courtroom to face 11 new felony sex crime charges. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges on Thursday. The charges were a refiling of one of the four cases of alleged abuse that prosecutors lodged against the singer earlier this year. A grand jury last week increased the felony counts against the 52-year-old and upgraded some of the charges. He now faces five felony counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault. If convicted of the most serious charges, Kelly would face mandatory sentences of six to 30 years in prison…
Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels has replied her critics saying that she had been an adult from her childhood. This is the first time the actress is granting an interview after her traditional wedding with rich politician, Ned Nwoko. Daniels in a YouTube video captioned “13 things you don’t know about me”, said she went through a lot as a child. She said people should rather see her as an adult after recently getting married to a 59-year-old billionaire, Nwoko, in Delta. The actress, who still claims to be 18-year-old, has been criticized for marrying her older partner because of his…
Gianni Infantino was on Wednesday re-elected by acclamation for a second term as FIFA president at the Congress of world football’s governing body in Paris. The 49-year-old, who took charge of FIFA in February 2016 after the departure of the disgraced Sepp Blatter, stood unopposed for a new four-year term which will run until 2023. Earlier, Infantino had insisted that FIFA had been transformed into an organisation “synonymous with credibility” as he addressed representatives of the 211 member federations, before the Women’s World Cup begins in the French capital on Friday. “Today nobody talks about crises, nobody talks about rebuilding…
Famous musician, Rihanna has been named the wealthiest female musician in the world. According to Forbes, the 31-year-old has amassed a $600 million fortune. This puts her ahead of fellow Madonna ($570 million), Céline Dion ($450 million), and Beyoncé ($400 million). However, her wealth shot up after her partnership with French luxury goods giant LVMH, who co-owns Fenty Beauty. The makeup brand launched in September 2017 and became a viral success with a reported $100 million in sales in its first few weeks. Fenty Beauty has reportedly generated an estimated $570 million in revenue and is worth more than $3…
