Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

House of Representatives yesterday approved N1.9 trillion budget for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Of the sum, N38,545,349,193 is earmarked for personal expenditure while N29,246,506,753 is for overhead. Internal capital expenditure will receive N8,785,574,130; while N835,222,569,924 will be spent on development projects. The remaining N1trillion is for legacy projects funded by borrowing for the year ending April 30, 2025. The report of the Committee on NDDC, presented by Erhiatake Ibori–Suenu, was considered and approved.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi has said one Ms Fagbule who accused him of swindling her of the sum of $180,000 with a promise of marriage through Facebook was a victim of romance scam. The Ooni said this while denying knowing or ever being in any form of contact, interpersonal communication or relationship whatsoever with the Ms. Fagbule. The Ooni said contrary to the claim of the woman, he does not operate any Facebook accounts personally. The traditional ruler said he manages his palace as an institutional organisation with a functional media directorate, which has a section…

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, dismissed a suit seeking the disqualification of Asue Igbodalo as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the September 21 governorship election in Edo State. Justice James Omotosho declared that the suit, filed by the impeached Edo State deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, lacked merit. Shaibu and others had in the suit asked the court to disqualify Ighodalo over an allegation that he forged his voter card. But in his judgment on Wednesday, Justice Omotosho declared that the suit was statute-barred. He noted that the suit, being a pre-election case, was filed…

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved the appointment of six eminent persons to serve in the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, LASIEC ahead of the next councils’ polls. The appointees are: Justice Bola Okikiolu Ighile, Retd as Chairman, Mr. Samson Ajibade, Mr Oluwo Durojaiye, Dr. Metilelu Olusola, Mr. Aileru Abeeb Dapo and Mr. Oladele Adekanye as members. The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, announced this on Wednesday. According to Omotoso, “Details of the swearing-in ceremony will be announced in due course.” Recall that LASIEC, had on June 7, 2024, commenced what it described as ‘a crucial…

England defender Lucy Bronze signed for Women’s Super League champions Chelsea on Wednesday after leaving Barcelona. The 32-year-old, who was FIFA’s women’s world player of the year in 2020, agreed a two-year contract with the west London club following her successful spell in Spain. Bronze won seven trophies, including two Women’s Champions League crowns, with Barcelona but ended her two-year stay when her contract expired in June. The former Manchester City and Liverpool full-back returns to England, linking up with a Chelsea side who have won the past five WSL titles. “To know I’m a Chelsea player still feels a…

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON, as Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, with effect from August 14, 2024. Mrs. Walson-Jack was appointed as Federal Permanent Secretary in 2017 and has served in several Ministries. The new appointee will take over from the incumbent Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, CFR, who is due to retire on August 13, 2024. President Tinubu, while thanking the outgoing Head of Service for her stewardship, tasks the incoming Head of Service to discharge her duties with innovative flair, integrity,…

The Senate has rejected a motion seeking to take punitive measures against former chief whip, Ali Ndume, over a statement made during an interview where he referred to the Lawmakers as “kleptomaniacs”. The move was rejected when a point of order was raised by Senator Fasuyi Cyril representing Ekiti North on Wednesday. Sen. Cyril had urged the Senate to take punitive measures against Ndume over the said comment. However, when the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio eventually put to a voice vote on whether the matter be referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, there…

A final year student of the Bayelsa State-owned Niger Delta University, NDU, Wilberforce Island, Amassoma, has been reportedly killed by some youths over the N150 levy. The student identified as Francis Palowei of the Department of Social Science Education was allegedly killed at a sand dump, a popular relaxation spot in the area. It was gathered that some youths in the community have been going to the relaxation spot to levy students who go there to unwind and socialize following the high patronage of students at the relaxation centre. It was gathered that on Monday evening, the deceased final-year student…

No fewer than 1,376,391 registered for the ongoing 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination (internal) conducted by the National Examinations Council. The Registrar/Chief Executive of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, disclosed this on Wednesday after monitoring the examination at some centres in Enugu. According to a statement signed by the Head of Public Affairs, Azeez Sani, the NECO boss, Prof. Wushishi who expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the examination in the centre, disclosed that reports received from across the nation indicated that the examination is going on smoothly. He attributed this success to the various measures put in place to ensure…

Real Madrid captain Luka Modric has signed a new one-year deal to keep him at the Santiago Bernabeu for the upcoming season, the European champions announced on Wednesday. The 38-year-old midfielder extended his contract until June 30, 2025. Modric has won six Champions League titles, La Liga four times and lifted the Copa del Rey twice with Real Madrid. He has only started 37 times across the last two league seasons, but remains a key player for coach Carlo Ancelotti, having helped Los Blancos to a Champions League-La Liga double last term. Modric became the oldest goalscorer in European Championship…