Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, has given the state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara a 7-day deadline to resubmit the 2024 budget. This order was issued during the first session of the pro-Wike House on Monday after a hiatus of several months. Meanwhile, a parallel session is being held by the House faction led by Victor Oko-Jumbo. Fubara had previously presented the budget to the other House loyal to him, with his current Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, presiding as Speaker. Ehie and the pro-Fubara lawmakers passed the budget estimates, which the governor then signed into law,…

The United States President Joe Biden faces a critical week Monday that will test his standing at home and abroad, as moves to force him to quit his fight for a second White House term gather pace. The 81-year-old has so far defied calls to step aside after a disastrous debate against election rival Donald Trump last month threw into stark relief fears that he is too old to serve as president until 2029. Allies have warned he needs to do more to convince his party and the public that, as he insists, only he can beat Trump at the…

The Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, has addressed reports that the health institution was plunged into darkness for days due to a power outage. In a telephone chat, the Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee, CMAC, Dr. Ayodeji Oluwole, confirmed a disconnection by EKO Electricity Distribution Company, EKEDC, over indebtedness. However, he clarified that backup generators and solar power ensured minimal disruption to hospital operations. Oluwole said, “Yes, it’s true that EKEDC disconnected the facility, I think they’re on revenue drive and their argument is that if you’re owing, they will just cut you off. But there is backup power…

Manchester United are on the verge of securing a deal for Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee. The English club has reached a broad agreement over payments related to Zirkzee’s representatives with the next step being to finalize the deal with Bologna, according to sources close to ESPN. Joshua Zirkzee’s contract includes a release clause of £34 million ($43.5 million), which is valid until August. However, United may attempt to negotiate a different arrangement. The 23-year-old Dutch forward, who has attracted interest from AC Milan, is currently with the Netherlands squad as they prepare for their Euro 2024 semifinal against England in…

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has opened the loan portal for students from 36 state-owned tertiary institutions to apply for the loan. In a tweet on X on Sunday, July 7, NELFUND stated that the management of the institutions had successfully submitted their student data to the NELFUND Student Verification System (SVS). The institution included: Adamawa State University, Mubi; Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri; Borno State University; Mohammet Lawan college of Agriculture, Borno State; Edo State University, Uzairue; Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti; Gombe State University; Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University, Imo State; Imo State University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Umuagwo; Nuhu…

In a bid to make New Zealand a more attractive destination for international students and their families, the government has announced revised visa policies. These changes will allow partners of international students enrolled in specific higher education programs to qualify for work visas. The revised guidelines target spouses of students enrolled in programs that align with New Zealand’s Green List occupations, particularly those at Levels 7 and 8. This includes graduate certificates, graduate diplomas, Bachelor’s degrees, postgraduate certificates, postgraduate diplomas, and Bachelor’s Honours degrees. The Green List identifies occupations that are in high demand in New Zealand, creating a streamlined…

The coronation of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland is generating excitement throughout the ancient city. Residents are eagerly counting down to the installation of their new monarch. Preparations are in full swing for the coronation ceremony, scheduled for Friday, July 12, at the historic Mapo Hall in Ibadan. Oba Olakulehin will succeed Oba Lekan Balogun, who passed away on March 14. The ceremony is expected to attract a diverse array of dignitaries, including traditional rulers, government officials, and business tycoons. Also, as part of the coronation ceremony, the newly built multimillionaire Olubadan palace at Oke-Aremo, Ibadan,…

The Kaduna State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has condemned the abduction of The Nation correspondent AbdulGafar Alabelewe and Blue Print newspaper reporter AbdulRaheem Aodu, along with their families, from their residences in the Danhono area of Kaduna metropolis. Alabelewe and Aodu, along with their wives and children, were kidnapped on the night of Saturday, July 6. In a statement signed by council chairman Comrade Asmau Yawo Halilu and Secretary Comrade Gambo Santos Sanga, the NUJ expressed outrage over the incident and urged security agencies to take swift action to rescue the journalists and their families. The…

Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy has refuted claims by Logos Olori, a signee of Davido, that he uses songwriters. Olori had stated that many top artists, including Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido, rely on songwriters due to their busy schedules. In response, Burna Boy clarified on his X handle that the credited songwriters on his songs are producers, not lyricists. He explained that this is due to Western music policies, which classify producers as writers of the instrumentals. Burna Boy stated: “Any name you see credited on my songs are only producers of the songs or featured artists, not writers. But…

The Transmission Company of Nigeria said the national power grid has been restored following Saturday’s collapse. The TCN Public Affairs General Manager, Ndidi Mbah, who disclosed this on Sunday, described the collapse as partial. Mbah said, “there was a partial disturbance of the grid at about 15.09Hrs yesterday, 6th July 2024.” According to her, the incident “brings to three, the partial grid disturbances, with one total disturbance this year.” The TCN spokesperson said the grid collapse is suspected to have been triggered by the unexpected tripping of three units of a power-generating station which she said suddenly removed 313MW from…