Author: Amina Mohammed

A heavy security presence has been established in and around the National Assembly Complex in Abuja as lawmakers hold an emergency plenary session today. Contrary to the usual practice, the Sergeant-At-Arms has barricaded the entrance to the National Assembly, requiring identification cards for entry at the MOPOL Gate. The heightened security is allegedly intended to prevent protesters from gathering at the venue. The Red and Green Chambers had announced an emergency session for Wednesday (today) on Sunday. According to a statement issued on Monday by the spokesperson for the House of Representatives, Rotimi Akin, the Wednesday plenary will focus on…

Renowned Afrobeat musician and son of the legendary Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Femi Anikulapo-Kuti has paid tribute to the late Onyeka Onwenu, expressing his sadness and shock over her passing. Onwenu, a music icon, collapsed at Stella Okoli’s birthday party and subsequently passed away on Tuesday night at Reddington Hospital in Lagos. In a heartfelt statement on X.com on Wednesday, Anikulapo-Kuti tweeted, “Shocked, waking up to very sad news of the passing of Mrs Onyeka Onwenu. 🕊️💔🕊️ “Rest in peace Ma. Your beautiful voice will live forever. Condolences to her family and loved ones.”

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, on Tuesday, appealed to aggrieved youths planning the forthcoming #EndBadGovernance protests slated for August to give the Federal Government more time to fix the wobbling economy. The first-class monarch described the economic hardship being felt in Nigeria as a “global phenomenon” hence the President Bola Tinubu administration should be given time to correct the inflationary anomalies. “The agitation is real, we have a lot of suffering in the country but not only in Nigeria; it is a global phenomenon,” Oba Ogunwusi said on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme shortly after he met…

President Bola Tinubu has extended his profound condolences to the family of the late singer, songwriter, actor, journalist, activist, and politician, Ms. Onyeka Onwenu. Tinubu conveyed his condolences through a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, titled ‘President Tinubu Mourns Iconic Artiste, Onyeka Onwenu.’ Onwenu, aged 72, was said to have died on Tuesday night at Reddington Hospital in Lagos after collapsing at the birthday party of the CEO of Emzor Pharmaceuticals, Mrs Stella Okoli, where she had performed. According to Ngelale, “President Tinubu mourns the passing of the Queen of Songs, whose edifying…

New Barcelona manager Hansi Flick made a triumphant start to his tenure on Tuesday as the Spanish giants beat Manchester City on penalties after their pre-season friendly at Orlando finished 2-2 at full-time. Toni Fernandez, who signed with Barca earlier this month after turning 16, flicked in a left-footed shot past reserve City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega to give the German manager’s side a 4-1 win on penalties. Barcelona kicked off their US tour in the pre-season contest against the four-time reigning Premier League champions, guided by former Barcelona player and coach Pep Guardiola. A sellout crowd of 63,237 spectators were…

The Federal Government paid over ₦633.30bn on electricity subsidy in the first quarter of 2024, findings have shown. According to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission quarterly report, the sum represented a 150.5 per cent increase from ₦252.76 billion in Q4, 2023. The sum paid in the first three months of the year is higher than ₦628.61bn paid from January to December 2023. A breakdown of the ₦633.30bn showed that subsidy gulped ₦36.02bn in the first quarter, ₦135.23bn in the second quarter, ₦204.6bn in the third quarter and ₦252.76bn in the fourth quarter of 2023. The electricity market regulator blamed the…

The Edo State Government has said that it has uncovered a plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State to infiltrate the #EndBadGovernance protests in the State to attack and destroy key public infrastructure in Benin City, the State capital. In a statement, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Project, Crusoe Osagie, drew the attention of security agencies to the plans by the APC and its chieftains. According to him, “Edo State Government has uncovered that these plans are being perfected by chieftains of the APC to use the pretext of the protest to vandalise government buildings…

The Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, on Tuesday, inaugurated a State Advisory Committee on the new national minimum wage, just 48 hours after President Bola Tinubu approved the N70,000 minimum wage as agreed with the organised labour unions. The unveiling which took place at the Government House, was conducted by the Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo, on behalf of the governor. In a statement by the Deputy governor’s spokesman, Ibrahim Shuaibu, said Governor Yusuf emphasised the committee’s responsibility to plan effectively for the newly approved minimum wage and to present a practical recommendation for the state government’s immediate implementation. Yusuf assured…

Big Brother Naija season 9 housemate Toby Forge has expressed his romantic interest in fellow contestant Kassia, unaware she is married. During a conversation on Monday, Toby shared his feelings with Kassia, stating, “I feel like me and you would make a very strong power couple.” Kassia responded with a subtle hint of reality, saying, “Hmmm. It’s late, bro.” The revelation that Kassia is married came to light following their introduction on Sunday. During this initial briefing, Kassia and another housemate, Kellyrae, disclosed that they would keep their marital status a secret within the house. Despite Toby’s growing interest in…

The U.S. women’s gymnastics team is golden once again, with Simone Biles leading Team USA back to the top of the Olympic podium after winning the team silver medal in Tokyo, securing a gold medal in Tuesday’s team final. Italy took silver and Brazil the bronze, winning its first Olympic team medal. It was the first Olympic team medal for the Italians since 1928. Biles officially became the most decorated American gymnast in the history of the Olympic Games with eight medals. She was previously tied with “Magnificent Seven” star Shannon Miller at seven Olympic medals. Biles was already the…