Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

A Federal High Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, has dismissed the suit challenging the eligibility of the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and his deputy, Olayide Adelami, for the 16 November 2024 governorship election in the state. The governorship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Olugbenga Edema, had sought the court’s order to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the nomination and the names of Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his deputy as candidates. Mr Edema, who switched over to the NNPP after losing in the APC primaries, is…

German auto giant Volkswagen said Tuesday its net profit nosedived last year, as Europe’s largest carmaker struggled with high production costs and fierce Chinese competition. At 12.4 billion euros ($13.4 billion) in 2024, net profit fell 30.6 per cent compared with the previous year, even as overall sales grew slightly to reach 324.7 billion euros. The group’s operating result, a closely watched measure of underlying profitability, also fell to 19.1 billion euros, 15 per cent lower than in 2023. The drop was due to a “significant increase in fixed costs” and one-off expenses totalling 2.6 billion euros, primarily aimed at…

The All Progressives Congress (APC), in Rivers State has called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara to resign or face impeachment. APC made the call while reacting to Fubara’s invitation to a breakfast meeting with the 27 Pro-Wike lawmakers at Government House on Monday. Rivers APC chairman, Tony Okocha who described the invitation as a Greek Gift, recalled how much the Governor has disrespected President Bola Tinubu after his intervention when the crisis started in 2023 and even abused court judgements with impunity. He said: “The invitation to the lawmakers is a Greek Gift. The Supreme Court Judgement is final. There is nothing anybody…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said the over N50 billion recovered from fraudsters in 2024 was among the funds invested into the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this information is based on the EFCC’s 2024 statistical report made available to reporters yesterday in Abuja. NAN also reports that NELFUND was established through the Students Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act, 2024, signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on April 3, last year. The initiative is a programme established by the Federal Government of Nigeria to break financial…

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) says that it is pushing for efforts to rescue the embattled former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), General Maharatzu Tsiga (Rtd) from the hands of the bandits. A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of ACF, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba assured the family of the kidnapped victim that efforts were in top gear to free him and other victims in similar captivity. However, ACF called on security agencies to double on their duties, bring in fresh, coordinated strategies and tactics in a total offensive against the terror merchants that continue to inflict harm…

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…