Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

The federal government has approved plans to set up Enugu state’s Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO) to monitor the activities of mining companies. The government said that this will enhance effective compliance with environmental standards by mining operators in Enugu state. This move, according to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake is to intensify collaboration between federal and state governments to enhance the development of the mining sector in the coal-rich state. The minister disclosed this on Friday while hosting Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, in his office in Abuja. Alake emphasised the state’s historic…

Former United States President, Donald Trump, lashed out in rambling, angry comments Friday at his “sick” opponents and “fascists” after what he called a “very unfair” trial that made him the first former US president to become a convicted felon. The 77-year-old Republican, who is neck and neck with President Joe Biden in the 2024 White House race, confirmed he would appeal. “We’re going to be appealing this scam,” he said. Trump was speaking at what was billed as a press conference in the upscale lobby of his signature Trump Tower property in Manhattan. But after taking to the podium,…

The Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams, has urged Yoruba people all over the world to ensure the promotion and preservation of their culture. The Yoruba generalissimo, who described culture and tradition as the true identity of a race, said the Yoruba race has a very rich culture and tradition that should be preserved for generations yet unborn. Iba Adams spoke at the maiden edition of the Aareonakakanfo festival, which was held at the playing ground of Ifo local government area, Ogun state. Addressing the large crowd of enthusiastic members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) who trooped out…

Players could strike in their bid to cut down on the number of matches they play, England’s Professional Footballers’ Association warned FIFA. Football’s world governing body is under growing pressure to address the workload of elite players, with threats of legal action. The PFA wants action to alter the congested football calendar, especially with the expanded 32-team Club World Cup proposed for next summer. An event Thursday in London by the PFA and FIFPRO, the international players’ union, heard that players were at “breaking point”. PFA chief executive Maheta Molango recalled a recent conversation he had with players of an unnamed…

Oyo Assembly has described the torture and killing of a student at Ajayi Crowther university in the school hostel as barbaric and appalling act against humanity. The lawmakers spoke while reacting to the Matter of Urgent Public Importance presented by the Chief Whip, Hon. Gbenga Oyekola representing Atiba state constituency during the last proceedings. The motion titled “Urgent needs for government action regarding the torture and murder of Alexander , A 200 level Engineering student at Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo” explained the unfortunate incident, which led to the death of the deceased,  that he was subjected to severe physical abuse.…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has restated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of members of the Armed Forces and intelligence agencies. He expressed optimism that Nigeria will prevail over the myriads of security challenges facing it. Speaking yesterday at the inauguration of the Headquarters of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), the president promised to kit the outfits with other administrative and logistics requirements to enhance their productivity. Tinubu, who was represented by the Senate President Godswill Akpabio, said: “I assure you along with the entire armed forces of Nigeria that I will sustain the provision of the welfare, training and…

A coalition of women’s rights organizations, Womanifesto, has called for the immediate release of Chioma Okoli, a woman who has been detained since September 2023 for her alleged defamation against Erisco Foods Limited. In a statement signed by over 150 organizations, including Women Advocates and Research Documentation Centre (WARDC), Purple Woman Foundation, and Action Aid Nigeria, the group condemned the continued detention of Okoli, which has resulted in the loss of her pregnancy and livelihood. The group also criticized Erisco for prioritizing profits over the health and wellbeing of Nigerians, and called on the government to investigate the company’s products…

The growth rate of Nigeria and other West African countries is projected to rise from an estimated 3.6 per cent in 2023 to 4.2 and 4.4 per cent in 2024/2025. The African Development Bank (AfDB) Vice-President and Chief Economist, Kevin Urama, said this at Thursday’s highlight of the African Economic Outlook 2024. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the report was inaugurated on the sidelines of the bank’s ongoing 2024 Annual Meetings in Nairobi, Kenya. The theme of the meeting is: ”Driving Africa’s Transformation: The Reform of the Global Financial Architecture. ” ”Growth is projected to pick up in…

The federal government has secured $500million loan from the World Bank to improve electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) performance. This was contained in a press statement by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Head, Public Communication, Amina Tukur Othman, issued on Thursday, May 30. She said, approved on February 4, 2021, by the World Bank Board of Directors, this funding supports the Nigerian Distribution Sector Recovery Program (DISREP) aimed at improving the financial and technical performance of the DisCos. The Distribution Sector Recovery Program (DISREP), said the Head of Public Communications, is designed to enhance the financial and technical operations of…

The centrist party of Israel war cabinet minister Benny Gantz said Thursday it had submitted a bill to dissolve parliament and hold an early election. “The head of the National Union Party, Pnina Tamano-Shata, has put forward a bill to dissolve the 25th Knesset. This follows the request of party leader Minister Benny Gantz to move forward in broad agreement to an election before October, a year since the massacre,” the party said in a statement. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party countered. Likud said: “The dissolution of the unity government is a reward for (Hamas Gaza leader Yahya)…