Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

The Management of Nigerian Education Loan Fund on Tuesday announced a 14-day postponement of the application process for student loan for state institutions due” to low data submissions,” a statement by the agency said in Abuja. The Fund said the decision was necessitated by the failure of several state-owned institutions to upload the required student data and fee information to the NELFUND Student Verification System. “To date, only a limited number of state-owned institutions have successfully completed the data submission process. These include 20 state universities out of 48, 12 state colleges out of 54, and 2 state polytechnics out…

Barcelona legend and Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi has finally revealed the secret to his incredible talent. The 37-year-old is an 8-time Ballon d’Or winner, Copa America champion, and World Cup winner with Argentina. Widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time, Messi has won league titles with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. In a recent interview with Argentine podcaster Juan Pablo Varsky, Messi shared the source of his talent: “It’s very clear to me that I was born like this because God chose me. It was a gift he gave me. I tried to take advantage of it, I…

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, yesterday activated a national cholera emergency centre, following the outbreak of the disease in the country. It also said 53 deaths and 1,528 suspected cholera cases were recorded across 31 states and 107 local government areas, with a case fatality rate of 3.5 per cent since the beginning of 2024. This is even as Lagos State government yesterday disclosed that the cholera death toll had risen to 29 from the previously reported 24 last week, adding that the total number of suspected cases had risen to 579. Director-General of NCDC, Dr…

The Edo State Police Command has arrested and paraded over 45 suspects for involvement in various crimes in the Edo State. Parading the suspects, the State Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adeboye, said the suspects were arrested over alleged kidnapping, cultism, armed robbery, and illegal possession of firearms, among others. The Commissioner of Police described the rate of cult-related killings in the State as worrisome. He stated that the police would not fold its hand and allow criminals hold the state to ransom, adding that the Police Command has the backing of the State Government in its drive to rid the…

A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo has struck out the certificate forgery case against the Senator representing Bayelsa Central Senatorial District, Benson Konbowei. Konbowei was arraigned before the court on March 26 on three counts. In the charge marked: CR/028/2023, the Inspector General of Police accused Konbowei of fraudulently forging a document titled ‘Certificate of Exemption’ with number 000256454 and dated July 4, 2008, among others. The senator pleaded not guilty to the charges. At the resumed proceedings on Monday, the prosecuting counsel, Reuben Egwuaba, applied to withdraw the case. He noted that his action followed the withdrawal…

The Federal Government has called on Nigerians to avoid locally made drinks such as kunu, zobo and fura to prevent cholera disease. It also urged the public to be more vigilant and to imbibe good sanitation and hygiene practices at home and in their workplace. The Minister of State for Environment, Iziaq Salako, gave the directive in a statement on Monday in Abuja. Salako further tasked all and sundry with preventive measures such as keeping their environment clean always and disposing of waste properly at designated places. He said, “Ensure the use of clean and safe water. Water from suspicious…

The Akwa Ibom State Police command says it has rescued a retired Shell Petroleum Company who was kidnapped on June 17, 2024 by four unknown armed men dressed in Military Camouflage. The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Timfon John, who disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Monday stated that the 63-year-old kidnap victim (names withheld) was rescued unhurt in Ikot Udobong village in Etim Ekpo local government area following intelligence. She also disclosed that one of suspected kidnappers who sustained injury from a gunshot when the gang engaged the police in a gun duel and later…

Security forces in Katsina State have reportedly apprehended a woman, identified as Aisha Abubakar, for allegedly transporting ammunition to terrorists. The incident was reported on Monday by security analyst and counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama. According to Makama, the ammunition was discovered during a routine search of Abubakar’s luggage. “The authorities discovered the ammunition in her luggage during a routine search,” he stated. The suspect initially denied any involvement in the illegal activity. However, Makama reported that she later admitted to her role in the operation. “She initially denied involvement but later confessed to be transporting the ammunition to terrorist group…

The police have deployed additional armed security personnel to the two palaces housing the contending emirs in the metropolitan Local Government Areas of Kano. The outgoing Commissioner of Police, AIG Usaini Gumel, confirmed this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday. Gumel said, “Equipped and armed personnel have been deployed to handle any unforeseen circumstances around the identified areas. He explained that the deployment aims to prevent security threats and maintain a peaceful atmosphere pending the emirship’s outcome. AIG Gumel said that the command has reinforced its personnel deployment plans to ensure adequate security…

Niger State Governor Umaru Bago yesterday called for the review of activities of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). Bago, who called for the probe of the N90 billion subsidy paid by the Federal government for the Hajj operations, vowed to lead a committee of governors to meet relevant authorities to champion the review of the commission. According to statement by Bago’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Bologi Ibrahim, in Minna, the governor made the call in a chat with reporters in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, wher he assessed this year’s Hajj operation. He expressed concern that rather than exert its…