Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma has called on the Board and management of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) to chat a course that will propel greater economic and social development of the region. He noted that the creation of the Commission is an opportunity provided by the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, to bring relief to the people of the South East region for the agonies suffered in the past. The Governor made the call when the pioneer Board Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Emeka Wogu led his members and the Management…

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has strongly condemned the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE)’s plan to outsource its quality assurance responsibilities, describing it as an attempt to commercialise the regulation of polytechnics in Nigeria. In a statement released on Friday, ASUP President, Shammah Kpanja expressed the union’s rejection of the policy, which he said undermines the credibility and integrity of the accreditation process for technical and vocational education institutions. The policy, which reportedly has the approval of the Minister of Education, seeks to transfer NBTE’s accreditation and quality assurance responsibilities to private vendors. The NBTE cited inadequate…

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has cautioned individuals unfamiliar with the workings of the Senate to refrain from making uninformed public commentary on legislative matters. Akpabio issued this warning late Friday night while receiving a delegation from the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Forum, which paid him a solidarity visit in Abuja. His remarks come in response to criticism surrounding the recent suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for violating Senate rules. Akpoti-Uduaghan was on Thursday suspended for six months by the Senate over alleged misconduct and breach of relevant standing orders. She however said the suspension which…

The ongoing terrorism case against leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has been reassigned to another judge. The reassignment was directed by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, John Tsoho, after months of intense pressure. The special counsel to Kanu, Aloy Ejimakor, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday. Justice Binta Nyako had been presiding over the trial of the IPOB leader. However, during the court’s hearing on 24 September 2024, Kanu requested that Nyako recuse herself from presiding over the matter, accusing the judge of bias. The statement read “Yesterday, before…

President Bola Tinubu has extolled the virtue of women as the world celebrates this year’s  International Women’s Day. In a statement signed by him on Saturday, he praised the resilience, brilliance, and indispensable contributions of Nigerian women, describing them as the “strength” that powers the country. He said his administration is committed to actualising the Renewed Hope agenda. “You are the bedrock of our nation, driving progress from our homes to our farms, boardrooms, and communities. Yet, 30 years after the Beijing Declaration, too many still face barriers that limit their potential. “Our administration is committed in our Renewed Hope…

French superstar Kylian Mbappe’s “ups and downs” are to be expected because of Real Madrid’s demanding season and the nature of players of his quality, said coach Carlo Ancelotti on Saturday. The striker performed poorly against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and previous La Liga match against Real Betis, just days after scoring a hat-trick against Manchester City. Mbappe struggled in his first few months at Madrid after joining last summer from Paris Saint-Germain before bursting into form, but his last couple of appearances have caused concern among fans. “What we saw is that against Atletico he did not…

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Friday named a new finance minister to help steer Latin America’s second-largest economy through challenges including the threat of sweeping US tariffs. Edgar Amador, previously a deputy finance minister, will replace Rogelio Ramirez de la O, whom Sheinbaum appointed as her economic advisor for international affairs. Ramirez de la O, who was named to the post in June 2021, has been given “a very special task” given the importance of Mexico’s relations with the United States, Sheinbaum said in a video posted on social media. The change comes as Mexico seeks to calm investor concerns…

The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation has informed all federal workers of ongoing salary deductions following salary overpayments in December 2024 due to a system error. In a Friday statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Bawa Mokwa, the OAGF explained that overpayments are currently being recovered through deductions from affected workers’ salaries. The OAGF said there were no shortfalls in salaries paid to federal workers in January and February 2025, adding that the amounts received during this period reflected normal salaries after the exhaustion of various arrears paid in the last quarter of…

The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two suspects for kidnapping. A statement by The Command’s spokesman, CSP Moses Yamu, confirmed the development. According to him, the arrest of the suspected kidnappers is a testament to the effectiveness of the strategies deployed by CP Betty Isokpan in combating crime in the state. While assuring residents of improved safety, he appreciated them for cooperating with the police, and soliciting more useful information. The statement read “On 05/02/2025 at about 0945hrs, upon receipt of credible information that suspected kidnappers were sighted somewhere at Ugonoba village in Uhunmwode LGA. “The…

The Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Resources Authority (NMDPRA) has issued refining licenses to three companies to build new refineries in Abia, Delta, and Edo States. According to an X post by the NMDPRA on its official page, the proposed refineries that have been issued licenses are a 100,000 bpd refining license to Eghudu Refinery Ltd in Edo state, MB Refinery and Petrochemicals Company Ltd license to establish a 30,000 bpd refinery in Delta State, and a 10,000 bpd refinery issued to HIS Refining and Petrochemical Company Ltd. in Abia. Upon completion, the three proposed refineries will have a combined…