Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has clarified that the World Bank loan received by states is intended solely for infrastructural projects and not for alleviating economic hardship. In recent months, the Federal Government has disbursed N573 billion to state governors to combat poverty. This allocation has drawn scrutiny from various quarters, including human rights lawyer Femi Falana, who has called on states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to account for how the funds were used. Governor Sule addressed these concerns, stating that the World Bank funds are earmarked for specific projects rather than for direct aid or palliatives. “The…

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called for a ‘thorough investigation’ into alleged instances of violence by security agents against protesters during the #EndBadGovernance protest. The protest, which began on August 1, has seen accusations that security forces used live ammunition against demonstrators. On Tuesday, reports emerged that a soldier fatally shot a young protester in Zaria, Kaduna state. In response, the Nigerian Army announced on Wednesday that a soldier had been detained for the death of a 16-year-old protester in Zaria. Army spokesperson Onyema Nwachukwu stated that soldiers were deployed to enforce a 24-hour curfew in Kaduna and Zaria due…

A week after Arik Air’s planes were grounded, the Federal Government has lifted the suspension on the operations of the airlines. The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Michael Achimugu, disclosed this in a Wednesday statement on X. He said the dispute between Atlas Petroleum and Arik Air which necessitated the grounding of the airlines operations has been resolved. “The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, and the DG of NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo has successfully resolved the impasse between Arik Air and Atlas Petroleum,” he said. “By…

The Department of State Services has dismissed reports stating that its operatives raided the headquarters of the Nigerian Labour Congress in Abuja. On Wednesday, it was reported that armed men, purportedly from the DSS, stormed the NLC’s office and made off with several documents. According to the NLC, the incident occurred around 8:30 pm, when operatives reportedly broke into the Labour House. Head of Media and Public Relations, NLC, Benson Upah, stated that the assailants ransacked the bookshop on the second floor, seizing hundreds of books and other publications. “The invading team claimed that they were searching for seditious materials…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has clarified issues surrounding the reported fire at the Mobil filling station at Ikeja, Lagos on Thursday. A statement by Chief Corporate Communications Officer NNPC Ltd, Olufemi Soneye after the incident, said the explosion had nothing to do with the recently commissioned NNPC Gas Marketing Ltd (NGML)/NIPCO Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Stations, which are currently functioning and running safely without any incident. Two people were reported to have sustained burns, and property worth millions of naira was damaged. Eyewitnesses reported that the explosion occurred around 11 a.m., destroying at least seven vehicles. No…

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of nine persons to the governing councils of two federal institutions. A statement by, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), Ajuri Ngelale on Thursday, said the president expects members of the governing boards of the institutions to serve with integrity and devotion, to the enhancement of their structural, academic, and all-around standards. See List Below: MARITIME ACADEMY OF NIGERIA, ORON, AKWA IBOM STATE (1) Kehinde Akinola — Chairman (2) Shehu Maigari Doguwa     — Member (3) Samuel Isichei — Member (4) Faisal Lawal Halidu — Member NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA,…

The Country Director of Amnesty International, Isa Sanusi, condemned the invasion of the headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Abuja on Wednesday. He disclosed this in a statement on Thursday. The raid, which occurred on Wednesday night, was described as a “sinister and calculated attack” designed to intimidate the labour union. He stated, “Amnesty International strongly condemns the brazen invasion of the headquarters of Nigeria Labour Congress by a contingent of armed security personnel. The chilling raid last night appears to be part of a sinister and calculated attack designed to intimidate the labour union.” During the raid, security…

The Chelsea Football Club has announced the signing of defender Aaron Anselmino, who will spend the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Boca Juniors. According to a statement issued by the Chelsea Football Club on Thursday, Aaron, 19, has signed a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge but will initially continue his development in his native Argentina, where we look forward to monitoring and supporting him in his progress. “Aaron spent time in the youth ranks of Juventud Unida and Sportivo Realico before joining Boca at the age of 12. “He signed his first professional contract with the club on 10 June…

A once-respected crocodile expert was sentenced in Australia Thursday to more than 10 years in jail for sexually abusing and killing dozens of dogs, and a string of other crimes. Adam Britton, 53, had pleaded guilty to 63 charges relating to bestiality, animal cruelty and possessing child abuse material. In sentencing Britton on Thursday, Northern Territory Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael Grant described the acts as “unspeakable” and “grotesque”. Australia’s national broadcaster ABC said Britton acquired 42 dogs online between 2020 and 2022, promising their owners he would give them a “good home”. Instead, the ABC reported, Britton filmed himself…

The Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh, has rallied support for the Nigerian athletes currently competing at the ongoing 2024 Olympic games in Paris. According to a post on his X account on Thursday, he said, “Our athletes are giving their best and making us proud. D’Tigress made the nation proud, and there’s no shame in losing to the world’s number 1 ranked team. They struck a high note and made a statement even at the quarterfinal match with 74 – 88. “The first African team ever to get to the quarter-finals, they have moved four ranks up on the…