Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

The federal government has identified a lack of access to affordable housing finance as one of the major causes of the housing deficit in Nigeria, saying that 80 percent of the citizens cannot afford a mortgage as a measure to get home. The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa stated this in his keynote address at the opening of the maiden Kaduna International Housing Exhibition, held at Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Hall, Kaduna on Monday, July 1. He said the major issue governments at all levels have to address in their desire to deliver sustainability to the…

Popular gospel singer Peterson Okopi has announced his engagement to his fashion designer lover, Prudent Gabriel. The musician took to Instagram to share the news, posting a series of photos showing him holding a bouquet and ring, with a romantic “Will you marry me” backdrop. He captioned the post: “In the beginning……….. Happy new month family”. His engagement comes on the heels of a string of recent weddings and engagements among gospel singers, including Moses Bliss, Minister Theophilus Sunday, and Minister Neon Adejo. Fans and colleagues are pouring in congratulations to Okopi and his soon-to-be bride, wishing them a lifetime…

Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, has debunked reports that he expelled a journalist from a press briefing at the conference hall of the state Assembly in Umuahia. A radio station ,Enyimba FM, had alleged that the Speaker directed the expulsion of its staff Kingsley Chibuike,from a press briefing at the Assembly complex. Emeruwa described the report as false, unfounded and one meant to create disaffection between the office of the speaker and journalists in the state and urged the public to disregard it. In a statement signed by the Speaker, titled; “Re: Expulsion of…

A prosecution witness, Mr Abubakar Madaki, on Monday told a Federal High Court in Lagos that former Gov. Ayodele Fayose did not personally make any of the financial transactions relevant to the charge before the court. Madaki gave the evidence under cross-examination in the ongoing trial of Fayose for N6.9 billion fraud and money laundering. Fayose is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He was first arraigned on Oct. 22, 2018, before Justice Mojisola Olatotegun alongside his company, Spotless Investment Ltd. on 11 counts bordering on fraud. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was…

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says its Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) popularly known as a drone, crashed in Kaduna on Monday morning and not its helicopter as earlier reported. The Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, AVM Edward Gabkwet, made this known in a statement on Monday in Abuja. “Contrary to reports on social media as well as on a handful of traditional media outlets that a NAF helicopter had crashed in Kaduna earlier today, July 1, be informed that no helicopter crash occurred. “Instead, a NAF Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) experienced a mishap after take-off for a mission, at…

Two persons have lost their lives in the early hours of Monday when a passenger bus rammed into a truck along the Sagamu-Benin Expressway. This is just as four other persons sustained varying degrees of injuries while 14 escaped unhurt. The spokesperson for the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, Babatunde Akinbiyi, said the vehicles involved were an unregistered Howo truck and a Toyota Hiace Bus with registration number BEN 823 ZW. Akinbiyi disclosed further that the accident occurred due to speeding on the part of the bus driver which led to loss of control and eventual collision with the truck.…

Portugal playmaker Bruno Fernandes said his team needs to “tire out” Slovenia on Monday in their Euro 2024 last 16 clash in Frankfurt. The Manchester United midfielder admitted he gets frustrated playing against defensive sides but pledged to find solutions against the minnows in only their second Euros. Slovenia held England to a goalless draw to progress third from Group C and after Portugal struggled to break down a defensive Czech Republic in their opener, Fernandes said patience was the key. “Sometimes people don’t understand when we face such low blocks, there’s no space between the lines and if there’s…

Nigerian music star, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, in the early hours on Monday, won her fourth BET Awards at the  Peacock Theater in Downtown Los Angeles. The BET Awards, established in 2001 by Black Entertainment Television, is an American award show that recognises and celebrates the achievements of Black entertainers and other underrepresented groups in music, film, sports and philanthropy. South African star Tyla also won the awards for Best New Artist and Best International Act earlier in the night. Here is the full list of winners: ALBUM OF THE YEAR 11:11 – Chris Brown A Gift &…

The Lagos State government has announced additional support from the World Health Organisation (WHO) as it grapples with a cholera outbreak at Kirikiri prison. During a recent update on the cholera outbreak in Lagos State, Commissioner for Health Prof. Akin Abayomi highlighted the successful implementation of urgent medical and environmental intervention measures. “We were able to supply Kirikiri medium prison with intravenous fluids, infection prevention, and other health consumables. “Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) has donated 10,000 doses of pharmaceuticals which have been delivered to the prison to support prison health facilities with prevention strategies for about 3,200 inmates…

South African singer Tyla was named Best New Artist at the BET Awards 2024 on Monday. Tyla’s debut single, ‘Water’, catapulted her to global fame and earned her several accolades, including the inaugural Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance in February 2024. At 22 years old, she became the youngest African artist to receive a Grammy. In the early hours of Monday, she accepted the award for Best New Artist, edging out her fellow African act, Ayra Starr, 41, 4Batz, Bossman Dlow, Fridayy, October London and Sexyy Red. In her acceptance speech, Tyla said, “This is such a gift…