The evergreen drama rocking the Edo State political terrain has again unveiled another sizzling episode as the Speaker of the State’s House of Assembly, Hon. Frank Okiye, has been impeached. According to the Tribune Online, Okiye’s impeachment notice was signed by nine out of the 10-member Assembly. While the details of what led to the impeachment are still sketchy, the Tribune Online reports that Okiye would have been removed last week but for the last-minute intervention by Governor Godwin Obaseki. It should be noted that the Edo Assembly, as it is presently constituted, is made up seven Peoples Democratic Party,…
Author: Stanley Ugagbe
President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday in Kaduna expressed full confidence in the ability of the Nigerian Army to protect the territorial integrity of the nation, particularly in the ongoing war against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping, assuring that the Federal Government will increase manpower and improve training to meet the changing dynamics of security in the country. Speaking at the Combined Passing Out Parade of the Cadets of 67 Regular Course and Short Service Course 46 (Army) at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), the President, who was the Reviewing Officer, said the loyalty and patriotism of service personnel must be sustained…
The Delta State Government has debunked the report making waves, accusing Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of awarding hospital renovation contracts to his sister and aides. The report had alleged that the contracts were valued at N8.7 billion. Commissioner for Information in the State, Charles Aniagwu, in a statement in Asaba at the weekend, said there was no iota of truth in the report and urged the public to discountenance it. “For the avoidance of doubt and in order not to mislead the general public, the contract for the renovation of the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara, is in two parts.…
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat has called for the prosecution of bad eggs within the Police Force, especially those who do not adhere to professional ethics in discharging their duties, as the only way to protect the citizens and improve the image of the security outfit, stressing that ending the unit is not the right thing to do. Hamzat made the call while addressing the “End SARS protesters” at Alausa, saying that the only way to stop the unjustified arrest of our youth just because of their looks or phones is for the police force to find…
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has expressed sadness over the death of Jimoh Isiaka, who was killed during the #EndSARS protest in the state on Saturday. While the mastermind of the killing is yet to be unmasked, it has been alleged that the deceased was shot by members of the Police. The Governor in a statement said the #ENDSARS protests are a strong indicator of a systemic failure, stressing that he will ensure proper investigations into the killing of Isiaka. The statement reads: “I have received with deep sadness the news of the passing of one of our children, Jimoh…
Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa has called for calm in the state as the country continues to record protests by citizens, including Deltans, against the activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police Force. In a statement on Saturday by his Chief Press Secretary, Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, the governor acknowledged that citizens had the right to protest against any case of perceived wrong in the society, but cautioned that such right must be exercised within the ambit of the law. He said that the reported killing of a policeman and injuring of another officer of the…
As part of efforts to drive home its seriousness, the ongoing #EndSARS movement has unveiled a 10-point demand, calling on the Federal Government to immediately scrap the unit. The Movement, in a statement on Saturday by Human Rights Activist, Segun Awosanya, said “The brutality of the Police Force goes far back to our past; but the current tragic spike in the killings of innocent Nigerians stems from the ill-thought-out repeal of the operating procedures by the IGP on assumption of office two years ago. As we all recall the operating procedures negotiated with the police hierarchy by civil rights campaigners-…
In recent weeks, the clamors for the restructuring of Nigeria have flamed more than ever been heard in the nation. More remarkable is the fact that unlike before, stakeholders from all spheres of the society including religion are adding fuel to the burning issue. These agitations have been followed by litanies of protests – perhaps; it has become conspicuous even to the blinds that there is urgent need to restructure the Africa giant. With the series of tragedies rocking the nation – ranging from insecurity, unemployment, lopsided appointments, and the skyrocketing poverty, it has become expedient for the masses to…
President Muhammadu Buhari today, presented the 2021 budget estimate to a joint session of the National Assembly. According to the President, the budget, titled ‘Economic Recovery and Resilience’ is aimed at promoting economic diversity and enhancing social inclusion. In the presentation which was monitored by The News Chronicle on Television, Buhari pegs the proposed expenditure at N13.08 trillion with a crude oil benchmark price of $40 per barrel. The budget contains recurrent expenditure of N5.65 trillion, personnel cost of N3.76 trillion, and Debt Service of N3.12 trillion. Also, Statutory transfers have been put at N484.4 billion while Pension, Gratuities &…
In this explosive interview with The News Chronicle (TNC), National Chairman of The Young Progressives Party (YPP), Bishop Amakiri bares his mind on a number of issues – how the party has contributed to the strengthening of the nation’s democracy, why Professor Kingsley Moghalu, the party’s flag bearer in the 2019 Presidential election hardly associates with the party these days, what he thinks about the clamour for restructuring- among several other issues. TNC: Let me start by thanking you for granting us this interview despite your tight schedule. Your party achieved a major feat in the 2019 general elections by…
The Nigerian Islamic human rights organization, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has berated Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun for giving a bungalow and N5 million cash gifts to the winner of the 2020 Big Brother Naija, Moshood Olamilekan Agbeleshebioba. The governor also appointed the winner, who is popularly referred to as Laycon as the Ambassador of the Youth in Ogun State. MURIC in a statement on Thursday by its President, Professor Ishaq Akintola, described Abiodun’s action as disappointing, disgusting, misplaced and myopic. MURIC said, “We are miffed by Governor Abiodun’s action. What does he think he is promoting? A whole governor…
The lingering drama rocking the Edo State political terrain has unveiled another juicy episode as the factional Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon Frank Okiye and six other members of State Assembly yesterday, formally defected from the All Progressive Congress (APC) to the People’s Democrats Party (PDP) during plenary. The other lawmakers include, Hon. Roland Asoro, Hon Ephraim Aluebhosele, Hon Sunday Ojiezele, Hon Henry Okhuarobor, Hon. Emma Okoduwa and Hon Marcus Onobun. While announcing the receipt of the letters from the six members as well as himself to decamp to the ruling party in the state, Okiye averred that…
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has distanced itself from the various agitations calling for the secession of the country, condemning all groups clamouring for their Independence particularly the agitation for the creation of Oduduwa Republic. The group, in a statement on Tuesday by its Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, also reminded the Federal Government and the general public of the six reliefs it enumerated and demanded for Nigerian Muslims since October 2017. The statement reads: “We demanded six reliefs on behalf of Nigerian Muslims exactly three years ago. The reliefs were contained in a press release issued by MURIC on 9th October,…
Over the years, the African political terrain has been characterized by irregularities that are either shocking or egregious. One of these unscrupulous happenings is the recycling and holding onto power by the same set of people – giving no room for the youths to breathe. But still, there is a bizarre case in Togo – a son taking over from his father as the President of the Nation. Gnassingbé Eyadéma was the President of Togo from 1967 until his death in 2005. He participated in two successful military coups, in January 1963 and January 1967, and became President on 14 April 1967. During his reign which…
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the release of N10 billion to the National Population Commission (NPC) for the continuation of the Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) in the remaining 546 Local Government Area of the country. According to The Nation Newspaper, the President also approved an additional N4.5 billon to be included in the 2021 Budget for completion of the exercise as part of the preparations for the next census. The paper noted that Acting Chairman of NPC, Dr. Eyitayo Oyetunji, disclosed the development in Abuja on Monday while briefing reporters on the release of the funds and the update on…
The ever defensive Buhari-led government has again berated Nigerians who decried the Organized Labour for suspending the planned strike in protest of the hike in electricity tariff and increase in fuel price. The News Chronicle had reported how the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress called off the strike barely hours before its commencement following an agreement with the Federal Government. The action of the organized Labour, however, did not augur well in the public domain as the leaders of the unions were lambasted – some Nigerians saying their palms have been greased with money. Reacting to the…
President Muhammadu Buhari has again, come under public backlash following his Independence speech where he compared Nigeria’s fuel price to that of Saudi Arabia. While noting that Saudi Arabia charges N168 per litre, Buhari said “it makes no sense for oil to be cheaper in Nigeria than in Saudi Arabia”. The President’s remark has formed another debacle in the public domain as several individuals and corporate bodies have publicly berated him. Two of such groups who have knocked the President are the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria and the Peoples Democratic Party. The TUC, in a statement by its President,…
Barely eight days to the governorship election in the State, candidate of the All Progressives Congress and incumbent governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has revealed that he gave his deputy, Agboola Ajayi, the freedom to operate, but he later betrayed him. The Punch Newspaper reports that the governor made the disclosures on a programme on the Ondo State Radiovision Corporation in Akure, the state capital. Akeredolu said, “Agboola (Ajayi) does not want to wait for his time. I made him comfortable; I asked him to represent me at so many places, but some people were warning me; I said they should leave…
Finally, the Federal Government has ordered the reopening of all schools in Nigeria. According to Premium Times, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu made the announcement during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday. The minister advised all institutions to obey and adhere to the guidelines for the reopening of schools, earlier announced by the presidential task force. Adamu said all unity schools should open by October 12 “while states and private schools will determine their own modalities of reopening.” It should be noted that many states including Lagos, Oyo, Kano and Enugu, have since announced dates for the reopnening…
Bayern Munich star, Robert Lewandowski was on Thursday, named UEFA Men’s Player of the Year as his German side dominated the men’s awards. Lewandowski, 32, scored 55 goals in 47 games, including 15 in 10 games in the Champions League, while team-mates Manuel Neuer and Joshua Kimmich and manager Hansi Flick also scooped individual awards. The forward edged Neuer and Kevin De Bruyne to the award. In his remarks, the elated striker said “I have to say it’s amazing, it’s amazing, if you work so hard and you get this trophy, it’s something special. “I have to say thank you…
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari ‘to save the nation from collapse by using the occasion of this 60th independence anniversary to reposition his government, and urgently address the economic and security challenges that have escalated under his watch’. The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, which was obtained by The News Chronicle, said the President “should immediately rejig our security apparatchik as well as his cabinet to inject new blood to effectively manage the affairs of our nation”. The statement noted that despite the challenges, the party intensely believes…
Immediate past President, Goodluck Jonathan has called on Nigerians to continue to demonstrate an unflinching commitment to the growth of the nation, stressing that “our success as a nation lies in the fervency of our faith, the strength of our unity and commitment to our national creed: unity and faith, peace and progress”. In his independence statement, the former Nigerian number one citizen who admitted that the Nation is not where it should be, stated that the African giant has made some tremendous progress in many spheres. The statement reads: “I congratulate all Nigerians as we celebrate our 60th Independence…
A Borno State High Court sitting in Maiduguri has convicted and sentenced one Allen Abel to a cumulative term of 125 years in prison for allegedly fraudulently obtaining food items valued at N12, 879,800.00 (Twelve Million Eight Hundred and Seventy-Nine Thousand Eight Hundred Naira) on the pretext of executing a fake contract for Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development (FMHDSD)’s School Feeding scheme under the Social Intervention Programme (SIP) of the Federal Government, the EFCC reports. Abel was arraigned before Justice Aisha Kumaliya on Thursday, July 2, 2020, alongside Suleiman Adamu, Usman Adamu and Kingsley Madubuagu…
The trial of former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam before Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja was on Wednesday, adjourned till October 15, 2020. Suswam and his then Commissioner of Finance Okolobia Okpanachi are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on a nine-count money laundering charge to the tune of N3.1 billion, allegedly being proceeds of sale of shares of Benue State Investment Company, the EFCC reports. At Wednesday’s sitting, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs SAN asked for an adjournment, having stated that he may not be able to go on with…
The suspension of the planned nationwide strike and protest over the recent hike in electricity tariff and petrol pump price by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has again, created another debacle in the public domain. The unions were said to have reached agreement with the Federal Government. The agreement between the Federal Government and the organized labour, was for the hike in electricity tariff to be suspended for a period of 2 weeks, while the new pump price of petrol is to remain unchanged. According to the agreement, which was seen by The News…
Former Vice President of Nigeria and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the 2019 Presidential election, Atiku Abubakar has stated that in commemoration of Nigeria’s 60th Independence Anniversary, the Federal and State Governments should release all political prisoners and detainees, and discontinue the prosecution of such individuals. In a statement on Wednesday which was obtained by The News chronicles, the former number two citizen said “If Nelson Mandela could reconcile with those who imprisoned him for twenty seven years, we can reconcile with those who have disagreed with us”. While stating that “Nigeria’s future depends on our commitment to…
IMPROVATE has kick started its mission by bringing together African nations and Israeli tech companies to tackle food security challenges. In what was a first of a kind conference on “food security,” the meeting was geared towards connecting Israeli technology companies with African nations tackle the continent’s urgent challenge of feeding a rapidly growing population. The former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Tony Blair, who opened the conference, said: “Food security is a huge challenge, and it was a challenge before COVID, which has just deepened that challenge. This is a huge opportunity to use technology to help lives, to…
A report by the Commonwealth has revealed that violence against women and girls costs Lesotho more than $113 million (about 1.9 billion Lesotho loti) a year. The report, which was obtained by The News Chronicles, estimates the total cost, including loss of income and expenses associated with medical, legal and police support, equates to around 5.5 per cent of Lesotho’s gross domestic product (GDP). The cost of $113 million means each Lesotho citizen loses at least $50 every year to violence against women and girls. According to the report, the bulk – $45 million – is attributed to legal…
The recent revelation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission that it uncovered a whopping N2.67billion school feeding funds which was diverted into personal accounts during the COVID-19 lockdowns has opened another episode of the litany of dramas in the Nation. The ICPC Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, who disclosed the development, said “We observed that transfers to sub-TSA were to prevent disbursement from being monitored. Nevertheless, we discovered payments to some federal colleges for school feeding in the sum of N2.67 billion during lockdown when the children are not in school, and some of the money ended…
