Author: Amina Mohammed

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Wednesday, stated that the country must confront the pressing issue of the National Library, which has been abandoned for over 18 years, by ensuring its completion. Obasanjo, who delivered a goodwill message at the 60th anniversary of the National Library of Nigeria in Abuja, described the library as not only a symbol but also a critical necessity. The contract for the library, which stands incomplete on Plot 35, Cadastral Business District in the Federal Capital Territory, was awarded to Reynolds Construction Company in 2006 during Obasanjo’s administration. The contract was worth N8.9 billion, with an…

A witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Musa Odiniya, yesterday told an Abuja High Court that Al-Duraq Investment Limited, which was registered in 2021, got the contract for the construction of the Apron Extension at Katsina Airport in 2022. Odiniya, who is a former Director of Procurement at the Bureau Public Procurement (BPP), said this while testifying in the alleged N2.7 billion contract fraud against a former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika. The EFCC is prosecuting Sirika and his daughter Fatima, Jalal Sule Hamma, and Al-Duraq Investment Nigeria Limited for abuse of office and contract fraud. They are standing trial before…

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Abubakar Dantsoho, has called for enhanced technological collaboration among African littoral states to accelerate transit cargo transportation, particularly in regions requiring multiple waterway transits. Speaking on Monday at the 44th Annual Council and 19th Roundtable of the Directors General of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa in Conakry, Guinea, Dantsoho emphasised the need for African countries to leverage their strengths to improve trade facilitation to landlocked nations. “We must work together to improve trade access for landlocked countries, sharing technological advancements and information to enhance service delivery, particularly by…

Reno Omokri, a former presidential media aide has described Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections as a tribalist who only thinks of his people in the South-East. In a post on his X, Omokri despite serving eight years as governor of Anambra, Obi did not build a single school but has been donating money to different schools, mostly in Igboland ahead of the 2027 elections He wrote “Peter Obi, who did not build a single nursery, primary or secondary school or university while he was a two-term Governor of Anambra, has been donating money…

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has announced a new agreement with Dangote Petroleum Refinery that could reduce petrol prices nationwide. IPMAN’s National President, Abubakar Garima, revealed the agreement during a press briefing in Abuja, following a meeting of the association’s National Working Committee. Under the new arrangement, IPMAN will now source PMS (Premium Motor Spirit), AGO (Automotive Gas Oil), and DPK (Dual Purpose Kerosene) directly from Dangote Refinery. Garima stated that this direct access to products would ensure a steady and affordable fuel supply for Nigerians, ultimately driving down costs at the pump. He said, “Following our…

The Minister of Transportation, Senator Sa’idu Alkali, seems to have a hang of his ministry, based on the presidential priorities. This is especially so because he also understands how pivotal his ministry is to the success or failure of the President Bola Tinubu administration. After over a year in office, Alkali is confident that the take-off is gradually attaining a degree of stability, and with the appropriate financing, the ministry is sure to deliver on all its mandates. In this interview with Amina Mohammed, he shares the story of the journey so far. Excerpts: It’s been a few months since…

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat says President Bola Tinubu is currently performing a surgical operation to fix Nigeria’s broken legs. He therefore urged Nigerians to continue to pray for the success of the Bola Tinubu administration in its efforts to reposition the country Hamzat made the remarks at the multi-purpose hall of the Lagos Secretariat Community Central Mosque, Alausa, Ikeja where an event was held to mark his 60th birthday. Speaking on the challenges of governance in Nigeria, Hamzat said “Governance is hard. It is not easy to rule. Nigeria has broken its knees. Asiwaju is doing…

The Lagos State Police Command, on Friday, confirmed that no case of stealing was established against Nollywood actress, Lizzy Anjorin-Lawal, who was accused of stealing gold at the Oba Akintoye Market in the Lagos Island area of the state. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the development to our correspondent, who requested an update on the case. He said during the command’s investigation, it was established that the video showing people, including traders, accusing Anjorin-Lawal of stealing was a mistake of facts. Hundeyin said, “There was no case of stealing to start with; our investigation revealed that…

Some factional members of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) have disowned Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as the party leader. The factional National Chairman of the party, Dr. Gilbert Agbo, who led the anti-Kwankwasiya campaign at the party secretariat in Minna, Niger State, said Kwankwaso and his Kwankwasiya group were threats to the progress and existence of the party. Speaking at the North Central Zonal meeting in Minna, Dr. Agbo emphasised that Kwankwaso’s suspension by the National Working Committee in Lagos automatically terminated his membership and stake in the party. Dr. Gilbert who also supervised the burning of the Kwankwasiya…

Mohammed Badaru, the Minister of Defence, has said that Nigeria is open to a nuclear-free world, urging the nuclear weapon states to fulfill their obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) by taking immediate action towards a nuclear-weapon-free world. The defence minister noted that the country is in support for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) and commended nations that have ratified it. Badaru said this while addressing delegates at the ongoing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) 79 New York, United States. Badaru, in a statement from the Defence Ministry, emphasised Nigeria’s dedication to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation…