Author: Festus Adeloye

No fewer than 40 directors failed the qualifying examination for appointment to the position of permanent secretaries. Out of 92 directors who took the examination on May 27, 2024, 40 scored below 50 percent, indicating failure, according to the results obtained by our correspondent in Abuja. It was also gathered that three directors were absent, and one was unable to complete the exam. A memorandum dated May 28, 2024, originating from the Office of the Head of Service, designated as “HCSF/ CMO/ AOD/012/IX/59,” disclosed that the subsequent phase of the selection procedure will involve an ICT-based assessment. This setback occurs…

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has completed and inaugurated five abandoned mega-regional projects in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu. The managing director of NDDC, Samuel Ogbuku, said the agenda mandated the commission to complete and inaugurate all abandoned ongoing projects designed to link states and communities in the region. Speaking at the NDDC’s media engagement in Port Harcourt, Ogbuku said that the recent inauguration of five mega projects in Abia, Edo, Ondo, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom states was a testimony of the new passion of the commission to deliver on the mandate. He emphasised…

The Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt, on Wednesday, issued an interlocutory injunction restraining the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly from further sitting and parading themselves as members of the state legislature. Justice C.N. Wali granted the order in a suit filed by the faction of the Assembly loyal to Governor Siminilayi Fubara. The Rivers Assembly became factionalised last October when the cordial relationship between Fubara and his predecessor and political godfather, Nyesom Wike, broke down. While Amaewhule leads 24 lawmakers loyal to Wike, Victor Oko-Jumbo emerged this year as the Speaker of the faction loyal to Fubara. Amid…

The death toll from the May 15 bombing of a mosque in Gadan village, Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State, has increased to 21. On Thursday, it was reported that four additional victims succumbed to their injuries, up from the 17 fatalities previously reported on May 21. The attack, which occurred during early-morning prayers, initially left 25 worshippers injured. While one individual died on the day of the incident, 20 others have since died at the Muhammed Specialists Hospital in Kano, leaving only four survivors. This update was provided by Alhaji Bature AbdulAziz, Chairman of Friends of the Hospital,…

The Economic and Financial Crime Commission is probing a former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, over alleged N2.5bn pension fraud. Kwankwaso was invited and had been grilled by EFCC interrogators over the development, PUNCH newspaper reported. A source in the anti-graft agency familiar with the matter but had no authourisation to speak, said, “The commission invited Kwankwaso over the alleged N2.5bn Kano pension funds. We have grilled Kwankwaso over the matter, and he has provided some details to interrogators.” Another source noted, “Former Kano governor, Kwankwaso has been invited by the commission . He has been grilled, and we’re continuing…

A New York jury on Thursday found Donald Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records — the first time a former U.S. president has been convicted of a crime. The jury reached its verdict in the historic case after 9.5 hours of deliberations, which began Wednesday. He’ll be sentenced on July 11, four days before the Republican National Convention. He faces penalties ranging from a fine to four years in prison on each count, although it’s expected he would be sentenced for the offenses concurrently, and not consecutively. “This was a disgrace. This was a rigged…

Amid crisis on who is the authentic emir of Kano, the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, on Thursday appointed Hamisu Sani as the new Ward Head of Kofar Mazugal in Dala Local Government area. It is the first appointment made by the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) since his reinstatement under the resistance of the dethroned 15th emir of Kano, Aminu Bayero. Emir Sanusi called on the new ward Head to ensure peaceful coexistence among the subjects of the area and contribute his quota towards the development of the state as a whole. As Sanusi consolidate his…

The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, will next month lead the discussion on electoral reforms. The INEC chairman will feature on a new radio program titled: Electoral Reform Hour organised by the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA), in partnership with the MacArthur Foundation. The executive director of PAACA, Ezenwa Nwagwu, stated that the program would foster inclusive dialogue on electoral reform and constitutional amendment, enhancing public understanding and awareness regarding electoral reform, compile and present citizen-derived recommendations ahead of future elections in Nigeria. In a statement, Nwagwu said: “#ElectoralReformHour will air…

The Federal Government on Thursday inaugurated a 5.2 million standard cubic feet per day Compressed Natural Gas plant in Lagos, in an attempt to lessen the impact of petrol Subsidies removal on Nigerians. The CNG plant was built through a partnership between NNPC Gas Marketing Limited and Transit Gas Nigeria Limited, owned by Axxela. Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, who commissioned the plant at the Isolo Industrial Area, Ilasamaja in Lagos, said the occasion, under the theme ‘From Gas to Prosperity: CNG for All’, represents a critical turning point in the development of affordable, sustainable, and…

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, has reiterated his commitment to ensuring adequate security and massive infrastructural development to advance the economic development of the state. Okpebholo also assured the people of the state that his administration would provide affordable healthcare, water and food security, value-driven education, and economic rejuvenation, for the enjoyment of the masses, in addition to tourism and creative industry. The party flagbearer, who represents Edo Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, also pledged to give life to the Edo Diaspora Agency which…