Author: Festus Adeloye

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG and its Petroleum and Natural and Senior Staff Association, PENGASSAN, have written to President Bola Tinubu, demanding a high powered investigation into the allegation that the International Oil Companies, IOCs, are plotting to undermine and destabilize the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals. In a written through the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, dated July 1, 2024, the oil workers demanded among others, that the findings of such investigation must be made public to ensure transparency and maintain public trust. The letter signed by the NUPENG’s General Secretary,…

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to save lives by providing alternative power to teaching hospitals, medical centres and universities in the country, owing to the epileptic power supply across the country. The resolution of the House followed the adoption of a motion on urgent public importance moved by the member representing Ede North/Ede South/ Egbedero Federal Constituency, Osun State, Mr Bamidele Salam during Tuesday’s plenary. Titled, “Matter of urgent public importance on the need for the Federal Government to devise means to support teaching hospitals, medical centres and universities with mini solar grids and other alternative…

Members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), on Tuesday, July 9, staged nationwide protests within campuses of public universities to demand the immediate release of their withheld salaries. NASU national president, Makolo Hassan, had on Monday said there was no going back on Tuesday’s demonstrations as both unions claimed that the federal government had failed to address their demands following their warning strike some months back. At the Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Kaduna state, placard-carrying non-academic staff members had several inscriptions on their placards as…

Craig Bellamy has been appointed as the new head coach of the Wales national football team on a contract until 2028, the Football Association of Wales (FAW) announced Tuesday. Bellamy has replaced Rob Page, who was sacked following Wales’ failure to qualify for Euro 2024. The 44-year-old former Liverpool, Newcastle and Wales striker leaves Burnley, where he was assistant to former manager Vincent Kompany last season as they were relegated from the Premier League. “I will give my full commitment to develop this team and I am passionate to bring continued success into Welsh football,” Bellamy told the FAW website.…

Canada face one of the biggest games in their football history when they take on world champions Argentina in the Copa America semi-finals on Tuesday with coach Jesse Marsch eyeing a “special victory”. American Marsch only took over Canada in May and has led them in their impressive run to the last four in what is their first appearance in the Copa Amerca. But true to his upbeat, positive approach, the former Leeds United and RB Leipzig coach says there is no question of him or his team being satisfied or overawed by the occasion. “My mind is wrapped totally…

Alec Baldwin’s manslaughter trial over the fatal 2021 shooting on the set of a Western movie begins Tuesday, with the selection of a jury who must decide if a “Rust” crew member’s death was his fault. The Hollywood A-lister was pointing a prop gun at cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during a scene rehearsal when it fired a live round, killing her and wounding the movie’s director. Baldwin, 66, says he did not know the gun was loaded and did not pull the trigger. Prosecutors say he acted recklessly on set and has repeatedly changed his story since the tragic events of…

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, yesterday in Abuja asked the National Assembly to work with the tripartite committee on the new minimum wage to establish mechanisms for regular and systematic review of wage levels to ensure they keep pace with inflation and cost of living. President of NLC, Joe Ajaero, made the call in a goodwill message delivered at the national retreat on “Labour reforms and the quest for a living wage in Nigeria: A focus on legislative interventions”, organised by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, NILDS, in Abuja. Ajaero urged the lawmakers to “review and update…

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State on Monday said he’s not an ungrateful or bad person, despite claims against him in certain quarters. Fubara said he appreciates all those who have been instrumental to him, adding that gratitude has compelled him not to throw caution to the wind in handling the current political crisis bedevilling the state. He spoke while hosting stakeholders of Ikwerre ethnic nationality at the state’s Government House in Port Harcourt. In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, Fubara said it would have been difficult for him to hide it if he were ungrateful.…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a notice of appeal to challenge the ruling of Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court which acquitted Abiodun Agbele, an associate of the former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, and three others, in the ₦1.2bn money laundering charge brought against them by the commission. Agbele and 3 companies linked to him and Fayose, namely Sylvan Mcnamara Limited, De Privateer Limited, and Spotless Investment Limited were listed as the first to fourth respondents in the appeal. The ₦1.2bn is said to be part of the sum of ₦4.7 billion belonging…

The Chairman of the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission, Dr. Joseph Aremo, on Monday, announced that the local government election in the state has been postponed indefinitely. Prior to the latest postponement, the commission had earlier scheduled to hold the council poll on Saturday, July 13, 2024. The chairman, who announced the development while addressing stakeholders from various political parties in the state, said the decision was based on the fact that no single political party complied with the guidelines of the proposed election despite all guidelines for the election being issued on time. He said, “Ours is to conduct…