Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

Abia state government would on Thursday, launch a N1 billion interest free revolving loan under the Abia cooperatives scheme for 9,200 residents from the 184 wards of the state. Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu,who disclosed this at Government House , Umuahia while briefing journalists, explained that 50 beneficiaries have been selected from each of the 184 wards in in the state to benefit from the first phase of the loan scheme. He stated that the scheme which is an interventionist program is designed as a form of palliative as well as an empowerment program that would help…

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo and Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) has said that in spite of obvious economic challenges, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has done very well for Nigerians. He said this on Monday in Abuja while speaking with newsmen at the party’s National Secretariat where he led some members of the forum on a visit to the party’s leadership. Recall that the PGF is an umbrella body of all serving governors elected on the APC platform. Uzodimma, who spoke after a closed-door meeting with the party’s National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, said the meeting was…

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has approved the extension of the free bus scheme implemented by the state government for another five months. With the extension, the scheme will now run until November 11, 2024. According to a statement issued by the governor’s Special Adviser, Media Projects,, Crusoe Osagie, on Monday, the free transport scheme was introduced in September 2023 for an initial two-month period to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government on the people of the State. Following the success of the first phase which benefited over 1.5m Edo people, the…

The Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Devakumar Edwin, has given the assurance that Dangote Refinery will commence the production of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, this month. Edwin disclosed this when international financial analytics corporation S&P Global’s officials visited the Dangote Refinery at Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos as part of its sovereign credit ratings assessment of Nigeria. He reiterated that as earlier promised, the company will start producing petrol this month (July). According to him, the move will harness Africa’s abundant crude oil resources to produce refined products locally, adding that the company…

Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood was present at the club’s Carrington training base on Monday, though he did not participate in training with the team. Greenwood’s future at the Premier League club has been in limbo since his suspension in January 2022, following serious allegations against him. Mason Greenwood faced accusations of rape, controlling and coercive behavior, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm towards his partner. Despite the charges being dropped in February 2023, Manchester United opted to loan him to LaLiga side Getafe last summer. With the transfer window now open again, it is anticipated that Greenwood will secure…

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has declared that the agency will intensify its fight against corruption, vowing that no individual or group will be spared in the process. Olukoyede made this declaration on Monday in Abuja while receiving a solidarity visit from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). He emphasized that the fight against corruption is a collective responsibility and urged Nigerian students to join hands with the EFCC to eradicate the menace. He said, “It is a collective responsibility to fight corruption in Nigeria. EFCC will not relent, I promise you…

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Monday, presented staff of office and instrument of office to the newly crowned Elempe of Tapa, Oba Titiloye Oyekanmi. The event took place at the Elempale Community High School in the town. Makinde, who was represented by his Deputy, Bayo Lawal, emphasized the importance of Elempe’s role in promoting unity, peace, and development in the community. He commended the selection process that led to Oba Oyekanmi’s ascension to the throne as a testament to the community’s commitment to tradition, transparency, and the rule of law. The governor advised the new monarch to collaborate with…

The Federal Government has announced the suspension of duties, tariffs, and taxes on some essential food items imported through land and sea borders. The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, made this known during a press briefing at the National Press Centre, Abuja on Monday. Kyari disclosed that the listed food items, which include maize, wheat, husked brown rice, and cowpeas, will enjoy a 150-day Duty-Free Import Window. He added that the move is part of the Presidential Accelerated Stabilization and Advancement Plan, which is aimed at achieving food security and economic stability in the country. The minister…

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have commenced preparations for their first appearance at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament after 16 years of non-participation in the tournament. Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Head of Communications in a statement, said the team resumed camping in Spain on Friday with 18 players expected but only 12 have arrived as at Monday morning. He said their camp in the city of Jerez de la Frontera outside Sevilla has come alive with most of the invited players in camp. According to him, the team’s administrator Mary Oboduku who was quoted in the statement, two or more players are being…

New Finance Minister of the United Kingdom, Rachel Reeves, vowed on Monday to immediately “fix the foundations” of Britain’s economy, fuelled by onshore wind power and house building, after her Labour Party won power. In her first major speech since being appointed the UK’s first woman Chancellor by new Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Reeves said there was “no time to waste” on reversing “the legacy of fourteen years of chaos and economic irresponsibility” under the Conservative rule. Reeves, 45, takes over as Chancellor with Britain’s economy recently out of recession, the country’s inflation rate back to normal levels and as…