Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

The University of Abuja has announced the appointment of Prof. Aisha Sani Maikudi as its seventh substantive Vice-Chancellor, effective January 1, 2025, for a non-renewable tenure of five years. The announcement was made during the 77th Extraordinary Meeting of the Governing Council, chaired by Air Vice-Marshal Saddiq Ismaila Kaita (Rtd). This was confirmed in a statement released by the institution’s acting Director of Public Affairs, Habib Yakoob. The statement read, “The Governing Council of the University of Abuja, under the chairmanship of Air Vice-Marshal Saddiq Ismaila Kaita (Rtd), has approved the appointment of Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi as the 7th…

Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has signed the 2025 appropriation bill of Three Hundred and Seventy-Five Billion, Seven Hundred and Ninety Million, Seventy-Seven Thousand, Six Hundred Eighteen Naira, Fifteen Kobo (N375,790,077,618.15) into law. In his address on Monday, the Governor stated that 51% of the bill will be appropriated for Recurrent Expenditure, while 49% will be allocated for Capital Expenditure. Oyebanji noted that the detailed breakdown of the 2025 Appropriation Law, referred to as the Budget of Sustainable Impact, will soon be presented to the public. The Governor pledged to meet revenue targets to ensure the full implementation of…

The Acting National Chairman, the Peoples Democratic Party, Umar Damagum, stated that the party played a key role in shaping the political career of the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso. During an interview with BBC Hausa Service on Tuesday, Damagum stated that the PDP was crucial in shaping Kwankwaso into who he is today. He also mentioned that even if the NNPP merges with three other parties, they will not win an election without the PDP. Recall that in an interview with BBC Hausa Service on Monday, Kwankwaso criticized the PDP and its…

The Australian government has issued a stern travel warning, urging its citizens to reconsider the need to take a trip to Nigeria. In a statement obtained on Tuesday, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) cited a volatile security environment marked by terrorism, kidnapping, and the potential outbreak of civil unrest as reasons for the advice. The travel advisory read “Reconsider your need to travel to Nigeria overall due to the volatile security situation and threat of terrorism, kidnapping, violent crime, and the risk of civil unrest. “There’s a high risk of terrorist attacks across Nigeria by various…

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Tuesday, described the restoration of the Warri Refinery as a significant breakthrough for the nation’s petroleum industry and a New Year gift to Nigerians. Okpebholo also congratulated President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited for the successful restart of the 125,000 barrels per day (bpd) Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company. These were contained in a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua. Okpebholo hailed Tinubu for his reform in the sector, which he said has started yielding positive results for the advancement of the economy and called on…

Benue State Governor,  Hyacinth Alia has signed the 2025  budget of N550 billion into law. The governor signed the budget into law late Monday a few hours after the State Assembly passed the budget into law. The budget tagged ‘Human Capital Development, Food Security, and the Digital Economy was estimated at N550,112,988,930.45 . Benue State House of Assembly had earlier on Monday, December 30th, 2024, passed the 2025 appropriation bill into law, during the plenary presided by the Speaker, Hon. Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh. The signing of the bill into law which coincided with the launch of the State’s  10-year Development…

Former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney stepped down as Plymouth manager on Tuesday after just seven months in charge of the Championship strugglers. Rooney leaves with Plymouth rooted to the bottom of the second tier following Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at relegation rivals Oxford. Plymouth sit four points from safety after winning just four times and losing 13 of their 23 league games following Rooney’s appointment in May. Plymouth have been thrashed 6-1 by Norwich and lost 4-0 against both Bristol City and Coventry in recent weeks to heap the pressure on the former England captain. “I would like to take this…

The dance world mourned Tuesday the internationally acclaimed South African dancer and choreographer Dada Masilo, who died in hospital at the weekend aged 39. Masilo died unexpectedly on Sunday after a brief illness, a spokesperson for her family said in a statement. Born in Soweto, she was described as a sprite-like, energetic dancer and a fearless rule-breaker, who brought African dance motifs to classic European roles in a career that spanned two decades. “Deeply respectful of European and contemporary music traditions, but unafraid to go bare on stage and voice her own opinions, she effectively changed the shape and appearance…

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, celebrating his 40th birthday Monday, said he could play another five to seven years in the NBA at a high-caliber level — though he conceded he would probably retire before then. The basketball superstar, speaking after a Lakers practice session, also said he plans to finish out his NBA career with the Lakers, and would not make a comeback after leaving the league — whenever that is. Asked what might be the deciding factor about when to retire, James declared a lack of competitiveness would not be his reason. “It won’t be because I…

South Korean authorities began releasing the bodies of plane crash victims to families Tuesday, as investigators raced to determine why the Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crash landed and burst into flames. US investigators, including from Boeing, arrived at the crash site in southwestern Muan, officials said, as South Korean authorities began assessing two black boxes retrieved from the burned-out wreckage of the aircraft. The plane was carrying 181 people from Thailand to South Korea when it made a mayday call and belly-landed before crashing into a barrier and bursting into flames. Everyone aboard Jeju Air Flight 2216 was killed, save…