Author: Festus Adeloye

Vice President Kashim Shettima has strongly refuted claims that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has neglected the Northern region, stating that the region has no reason to suffer from poverty due to its abundant blessings. In an interview with Radio France RFI Hausa Service, Shettima addressed recent protests and criticisms. “In my understanding, we are in a democracy and democracy has given a citizen the right to voice his grievances but in a peaceful manner. What we are running away from is politicians with bad intentions and hoodlums causing a commotion that could lead to anarchy. Unfortunately, this happened,” he said.…

The Nigerian Ministry of Health has announced a new directive requiring all travelers to Nigeria to complete a health declaration form to help curb the spread of infectious diseases. The ministry communicated this requirement through its official website, healthapp.ncdc.gov.ng. The resurgence of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) in Africa has raised significant concerns. A new strain, identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and now spreading to neighboring countries, has been found to be more deadly and transmissible than previous forms. The World Health Organization (WHO) is contemplating convening an expert committee to determine if the situation warrants an…

President Joe Biden, in his first TV interview since dropping out of the White House race, warned that Republican candidate Donald Trump was “a genuine danger to American security.” “Mark my words, if he wins… this election, watch what happens,” Biden told CBS News in a pre-taped interview broadcast on Sunday. “He’s a genuine danger to American security. Look, we’re at an inflection point in world history… and democracy is the key.” Biden, 81, has kept a low profile since withdrawing after his flailing debate performance against Trump underlined fears about his age and mental abilities. In the short TV…

The National Youth Service Corps has denied a social media report that corps members’ bank accounts are being upgraded to accommodate the N70,000 new national minimum wage. The corps said no directive has been given by the relevant authority for it to start the payment of N70, 000 minimum wage to corps members or to upgrade their accounts. According to a statement issued by the NYSC Director of Information and Public Relations, Eddy Megwa, on Saturday, the report is misleading and absolutely false. The NYSC, therefore, advised corps members to desist from allowing mischief makers who are set to mislead…

Afrobeats sensation, Burna Boy, has shared a reflective post on his X handle, expressing a deep sense of nostalgia for his old self. The “Last Last” singer admitted that he misses who he once was, recognising the significant personal growth he has experienced over time. Burna Boy acknowledged that his old self would likely struggle to understand the person he has become, viewing the new version as “soft” because of his diminished anger and heightened emotional intelligence. On his X handle, Burna Boy wrote: “The new me misses the old me. The old me can’t even understand the new me…

The Lagos State Government has announced that the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Blue Line will from Monday, August 12, 2024, increase its number of trips from 54 to 72 per day. In a related development, the government announced a 25 per cent discount in fare for commuters travelling within the off-peak period set at 10am and 4pm daily. “However, the current schedule for Sunday operations remained unchanged,” a statement from the state Ministry of Information and Strategy made available to our correspondent on Saturday read. According to the statement, the Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, Mrs Abimbola…

The Federal Government has terminated the contract for Section 1 of the Kano-Maiduguri road project awarded to Dantata & Sawoe Ltd since 2007. The termination, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, said was due to the expiration of the contract’s time frame, highlighting the government’s push to ensure that long-standing infrastructure projects meet their intended deadlines and deliver value for money. The government also assured Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed of immediate intervention to repair a flood-damaged section of the Kano-Maiduguri federal road within the State. The road was recently severed by floodwaters following a heavy downpour, leaving the local Malori-Guskuri…

Premier League champions Manchester City beat FA Cup winners Manchester United 7-6 on penalties to win the Community Shield at Wembley on Saturday after the traditional season curtain-raiser finished 1-1. United created a host of chances to take the lead and were rewarded when 20-year-old substitute Alejandro Garnacho ran through the City defence to slide the ball into the bottom corner of the net in the 82nd minute. Erik ten Hag’s team looked on course to repeat their shock victory over City in last season’s FA Cup final but midfielder Bernardo Silva netted a minute from time to send the…

President Bola Tinubu has said the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will continue persuading Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso to return to the bloc. The trio cut ties with ECOWAS after sanctions were imposed on them by the bloc following coups in their territories. Tinubu, who also doubles as ECOWAS Chairman, said the regional bloc would continue to be friendly to the countries. “It is in our hearts to make sure that security is enhanced, and that constitutional government is defended and promoted in our region,” Tinubu was quoted in a Friday statement by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale.…

The Chaplain of the All Saints Police Protestant Church, Mopol 42 Mobile-Based in Gusau, Pastor Isa Andrew and his 13-year-old daughter identified as Grace, who were whisked away by suspected terrorists, have urged the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, and other Nigerians to come to their aid to regain freedom from the hands of terrorists. They made the appeal in a viral two minute forty-four seconds (2:44s) video released by their abductors giving an ultimatum from Saturday to next week Thursday to produce an additional N6 million naira, two boxer motorcycles and one Honda motorcycle or they would marry off his…