Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has given sound technical advice to politicians to stop restricting politics and its associated engagements to only satisfying private or sectional interests but to advance the general welfare and development needs of the people. Governor Fubara gave the advice at the inauguration of Okocha Road and Spurs in Rumuolumeni Community, which took place at Okocha Road Junction, Nkpor Road, Rumuolumeni in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the State on Tuesday. He explained that the benefits of politics and focus of government should not only be to identify supporters from non-supporters for accruable favours but…

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Tuesday, presented a budget estimate of N605 billion for the 2025 fiscal year. The Governor, while presenting the Appropriation Bill titled “Budget of Renewed Hope for a Rising Edo” at the hallowed chamber of the Edo State House of Assembly, revealed that the proposed budget reflects a 25 per cent increase from the 2024 budget. Okpebholo disclosed that N223 billion, or 37 per cent of the total N605 billion budget, would be dedicated to recurrent expenditure. The remaining N381 billion, which represents 63 per cent, is allocated to capital projects. “This budget is…

Social media giant Meta announced Monday a worldwide anti-scam awareness campaign aimed at protecting users from fraudulent schemes during the holiday shopping season. The company, which owns Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, revealed it has taken down over two million accounts linked to scam centres in Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, the UAE, and the Philippines this year. In another example, the company said its enforcement efforts have removed 15,000 phishing URLs in Vietnam and 9,000 in Singapore this year. Working with cybersecurity firm Graphika, Meta identified three major scam campaigns targeting holiday shoppers: fake Christmas gift box promotions, fraudulent holiday decoration sales,…

The Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) has expressed strong support for the Tax Reform Bills currently before the National Assembly. The bills which were developed by the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, aim to improve fiscal governance, transform public revenue architecture boost economic growth. The Chairman of the Commission, Victor Muruako (Esq) made this known at an interaction with academics and journalists on the sidelines of the Fellowship Lecture and Investiture Ceremony of the Capital Market Academics of Nigeria (CMAN), held on Monday in Abuja. According to a statement by FRC’s Head, Strategic Communications Officer, Bede Anyanwu on Tuesday,…

The candidate of Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate in the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi has filed a petition with the Ondo State Election Petition Tribunal challenging the victory of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress. The independent National Electoral Commission had declared Aiyedatiwa the winner with 366,781 votes, defeating Ajayi who had 117,845 votes. Ajayi in a chat with newsmen at the secretariat of Ondo State, confirmed that his legal team had filed the petition, seeking justice from the court. However, he refrained from disclosing the specific grounds of the petition. The PDP candidate…

Detained lawyer and rights activist Dele Farotimi on Tuesday arrived at the Chief Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, shortly before 10am in a police security van, accompanied by correctional centre officials. Both the defence and plaintiff’s counsel were already present in the courtroom, awaiting his arrival. Farotimi was arrested by the police in Lagos on Tuesday following a petition by Babalola. He was subsequently arraigned on defamation charges before an Ekiti State Magistrate Court last Wednesday. Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun ordered his remand in the correctional centre and set December 10 (today) for his bail hearing. Farotimi was granted…

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has flagged off the construction of the 4.7km Utteh Palace Road in Benin, fulfilling a campaign promise to the residents of the area. The flag-off ceremony, held on Monday evening, marked the commencement of a key infrastructure project located in Edo South Senatorial District. Okpebholo reaffirmed his commitment to the “Renewed Hope” agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, vowing to prioritize road construction and other sectors across the state. The governor emphasised that the road, once completed, would link Ikpoba-Okha and Uhunmwonde Local Government Areas, improving accessibility and boosting economic activities in the region.…

Norwegian energy giant, Equinor has announced the decision to end its almost 31-year business partnership with Nigeria, after finalising the sale of its oil assets. A statement by the company on Monday said the sale of its assets was completed on December 6, 2024. “With this exit, we realise the value and execute on our strategy to focus the international portfolio, and in combination with recent acquisitions and investments in our competitive projects, we seek to sustain long-term production and profitability,” says Philippe Mathieu, executive vice president for international exploration and production in Equinor. The value of the transaction amounted…

South Korean authorities banned more top officials from leaving the country Tuesday, Yonhap reported, in the wake of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s bungled attempt to impose martial law. A day after Yoon himself was hit with a travel ban, his party was forging a “resignation roadmap” that reportedly could see him step down in February or March before fresh elections. Yoon suspended civilian rule a week ago and sent special forces and helicopters to parliament, before lawmakers forced him to rescind the decree in a country assumed to be a stable democracy. Investigators are probing the president and a cabal…

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said star forward Vinicius Junior will be back from injury quicker than expected to face Atalanta in the Champions League on Tuesday. The Brazilian winger suffered a hamstring injury in November which was expected to keep him out until the Intercontinental Cup final on December 18. However Vinicius was able to train on Friday and Ancelotti said he would return next week, missing Saturday’s La Liga visit to face Girona. “Vini has recovered from his injury very well, he will not be ready for tomorrow but he will be for the next Champions League game,”…