Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

The Plateau State Government has fully lifted the curfew imposed on the Jos-bukuru metropolis, following the peaceful conduct of residents and an improvement in the security situation. In a statement by the Director of Press and Public Affairs Gyang Bere, Governor Caleb Muftwang said the move came after thorough consultations with security agencies. He said this will allow citizens to resume their economic and lawful activities while maintaining public order. Governor Mutfwang expressed gratitude to the citizens for their steadfast, patriotism and cooperation during the challenging period and assured them of his unwavering commitment to their well-being. Muftwang also commended…

Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has expressed confidence that former President Goodluck Jonathan would excel in a future presidential role, highlighting the significant reforms introduced during Jonathan’s tenure. Mohammed praised the achievements of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing President Olusegun Obasanjo’s contributions to telecommunications, agriculture, and infrastructure. “The only carriageways we have in the northeastern region are from the Obasanjo era,” Mohammed said. The governor was responding to a non-governmental organization’s call for him to consider a presidential run in 2027. The organisation had awarded him the title of “Champion of Peace, Unity, and Development.” In his response, Governor…

The Coalition of Rivers State Leaders has called on President Bola Tinubu, to wade into the never-ending political brawl between the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The coalition said the president’s intervention was necessary to protect the state. They accused the federal government of neglecting the situation, which they said was escalating tensions in the state. Also, they warned that the continued standoff could lead to severe conflict if not addressed. Led by  Chief Sunnie Chukumele, the group condemned what they termed “the ongoing efforts by Wike’s allies to destabilise the government, ”…

Japan lifted on Thursday a week-old warning that a “megaquake” potentially causing colossal damage and loss of life could strike, with the government telling people their lives could now “go back to normal”. The alert that such a catastrophe might hit the archipelago of 125 million people prompted thousands of Japanese to cancel holidays and stock up on essentials, emptying shelves in some stores. “Since there were no abnormalities detected in seismic activity and crustal deformation, the special call for attention ended at 5:00 pm (0800 GMT),” disaster management minister Yoshifumi Matsumura said. “But it doesn’t mean the risk (of…

Newcastle has confirmed that Sandro Tonali has been cleared to join the rest of the squad for the new season from August 28, 2024 according to a statement obtained from Fabrizio Romano’s X handle on Thursday. Newcastle have received confirmation from Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio that Tonali’s ban runs up to and including August 27, allowing him to return to action from August 28. But when Tonali will return is not quite clear just yet as Newcastle have a Carabao Cup second-round match at Nottingham Forest that week which could be scheduled for either Tuesday or Wednesday evening. Tonali would…

Former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino is poised to take the helm of the US Men’s National Team, according to multiple sources. This development comes after the dismissal of the previous coach, Gregg Berhalter, following a disappointing group-stage exit in this summer’s Copa América. Football journalist Fabrizio Romano stated via X on Thursday, “Mauricio Pochettino becomes the new USMNT manager, leading the U.S. to World Cup 2026. After contacts with several managers, the former Chelsea and Spurs head coach says yes to the proposal and project, as per reports in the US overnight.” The Athletic has corroborated this…

Bayelsa State would face a long period of black as the Transmission Company of Nigeria has disclosed vandalisation of 13 transmission towers along the Ahoada-Yenagoa 132kV Double Circuit transmission line. A statement by TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah on Wednesday, said the blackout will also affect some communities in Rivers State. The situation was discovered after a team led by the General Manager of the Port Harcourt Transmission region, Emmanuel Akpa, visited the site, and saw that all 13 towers from T52 to T64 were affected. Mbah said of the 13 vandalised towers, nine towers have collapsed completely,…

Cross River State governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has performed the groundbreaking ceremony for a 365-kilometres railway to connect the southern part of the state with the north. The project is a Public-Private Partnership-funded initiative, driven by Messers Reinhoke LLC, in partnership with the state government. Performing the groundbreaking ceremony at the premises of Tinapa Free Zone Resort on Tuesday, the governor stated that the railway project was one of the fruits of the investment summit held in August 2023, at the Calabar International Convention Centre. At the summit, the state government had a robust engagement with financial, infrastructure and social…

The Executive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Jalal Arabi, and the commission’s secretary, Abdullahi Kontagora, are currently in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) due to alleged mismanagement of the N90 billion 2024 Hajj subsidy. According to the EFCC, SR314,098 has been recovered from Arabi and other high-ranking officials. The investigation has revealed that Arabi fraudulently overpaid himself and other officials for operational costs related to the Hajj. The approved 2024 Hajj operational costs for various NAHCON officials were outlined as follows: $4,250 for the Chairman/CEO, $12,750 for Commissioners, $3,825 for the…

Hundreds of Japanese flights and trains were cancelled Thursday in the middle of a major holiday week as another typhoon roared towards the archipelago. Days after Tropical Storm Maria dumped record rains, Typhoon Ampil was set late Thursday to skirt the Tokyo region — home to almost 40 million people — and then churn up the Pacific coast on Friday and Saturday. ANA cancelled some 280 domestic flights on Friday affecting more than 60,000 passengers, while Japan Airlines scrapped 191 domestic and 26 international services, hitting 38,600 customers. Major parts of Japan’s network of bullet train services are also scheduled…