Author: Amina Mohammed

Former president, Goodluck Jonathan, has issued a stark warning that the increasing reliance on ethnic politics in Nigeria poses a significant threat to the country’s unity and democracy. Speaking on Tuesday at the 25th Democracy Day Public Lecture, held at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja, former president Jonathan cautioned that the emphasis on ethnic and religious sentiments in politics could lead to the downfall of the country. He also lamented the level of rancour that follow elections in the country, leading to high volumes of litigations every election season, describing the situation as embarrassing. He advised the Tinubu administration…

The Senate on Tuesday, June 11, passed a total sum of N1.911trillion as 2024 statutory budget for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The Senate approved the budget after the upper chamber considered the report of its committee on NDDC during plenary. The chairman, Senate Committee on NDDC, Senator Asuquo Ekpeyoung (APC – Akwa Ibom South) presented the report. According to the report, the NDDC proposes to borrow N1 trillion to fund its 2024 budget. However, senators faulted the proposed borrowing saying it did not follow due process. They urged that the commission to work with relevant government agencies like…

Abia State Government has confirmed the suspension of the Commissioner for Health, Dr Ngozi Okoronkwo. Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, who confirmed her suspension in a statement Tuesday, said she was suspended because of “gross misconduct levelled against her”. The statement made available to Vanguard in Umuahia read: “The Governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti has approved the suspension from office of the Commissioner for Health Abia State, Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo. “The suspension is to pave way for the investigation of allegations of gross misconduct levelled against the Commissioner. “Governor Otti’s action is in line with…

Tolaram has agreed to purchase Diageo’s 58.02% stake in Guinness Nigeria Plc in a historic agreement that will significantly alter the beverage industry in Nigeria. Guinness made this known in a press release on the NGX. The announcement is the latest in a string of major multinational organizations exiting the country citing tough economic challenges. The purchase, slated to be completed in fiscal 2025 assuming regulatory clearances, will also see Tolaram enter into long-term license and royalty agreements to continue producing the legendary Guinness brand alongside Diageo’s ready-to-drink and mainstream spirits locally. Based on its current share price of N50.5…

Malawi’s Vice President Saulos Chilima was killed in a plane crash, the nation’s president said on Tuesday, after searchers located the wreckage of the aircraft in a foggy forest. The military plane carrying Chilima, 51, and nine others disappeared on Monday, after it failed to land in the northern city of Mzuzu due to bad weather and was told to return to the capital, Lilongwe. “The search and rescue team have found the aircraft … completely destroyed with no survivors, as all passengers on board were killed on impact,” Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera said addressing the nation. “Words cannot describe…

The Commissioner for Health, Abia State, Dr Ngozi Okoronkwo, has been allegedly suspended by Governor Alex Otti. She was said to have been suspended over allegations of lack of accountability and financial mismanagement. According to social media reports, the embattled Commissioner was suspended indefinitely during the State Executive Council meeting on Monday. A top Government official confirmed to Vanguard that the Governor actually asked the Health Commissioner “to step aside”. The action of the Governor according to the source which pleaded not to be mentioned, is to give room for the investigation of the Commissioner and her Ministry concerning “barrage…

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has been ruled out of Euro 2024 due to an ongoing injury, dealing a significant blow to the Netherlands’ national team. The 27-year-old who has been sidelined since being stretchered off during El Clasico in April, had joined the national team in preparation for the European Championship. However, it has now been confirmed that he will not travel to Germany with the squad. Instead, De Jong will return to Barcelona to continue his recovery. Head coach Ronald Koeman had expressed hope that the talented midfielder would be fit in time for the tournament but now…

Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, yesterday, restated the commitment of the Bola Tinubu’s administration to supporting Nigerian youths to reach their potentials and contribute to the growth and development of the country. Shettima in his remarks, when he received on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa, the National Executive Council of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, led by its President, Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo. This came as NYCN is set to celebrate its 60th anniversary in November 2024. Commending the council for its support to the programmes and activities of the Tinubu administration, VP Shettima said: “We cannot…

The Minister of Transportation, Sa’idu Alkali, said that the government has begun the conversion of railway locomotive engines from diesel to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). Saidu, who spoke on Monday at Idu National Railway Station Abuja, said that the government intends to drastically reduce the cost of maintenance as well as maintain a clean environment against carbon emissions. His words: “We have come to assess what we have been putting up for the last month and to interface with the engineers to further analyze the possibility of converting our locomotives from diesel to gas. “So far, we have interacted with…

The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, June 12 as public holiday to commemorate this year’s Democracy Day. The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo in a statement on Tuesday by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Aishetu Ndayako, congratulated Nigerians on the celebration. The statement partly read, “As we mark another Democracy Day in the history of our dear country, let us all reflect on the efforts of our founding fathers and ensure that Nigeria remains a united, secured, peaceful and indivisible entity.” He urged Nigerians to remain steadfast on the tenets of democratic governance. Tunji-Ojo added that President Bola…