Author: Festus Adeloye

The presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 polls, Peter Obi, on Friday called for greater transparency and accountability as a result of the recent increase in the Budget of Restoration to ₦54 trillion due to reported revenue growth. Obi made the call in a statement on X, noting that while the sources of revenue were detailed, there was no corresponding breakdown of expenditures to justify the budget increase. The LP chieftain stressed the need for Nigerians to be informed on how public funds are allocated and spent. “For transparency and accountability sake, Nigerians need to know how the…

The Federal Executive Council has approved the concession of the Kashimbila Integrated Cargo/Agro-Allied Airport in Taraba state under a Public Private Partnership arrangement. Approved under the regulatory guidance of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, the project cuts across agriculture, water resources, and aviation sectors. A statement issued on Friday by the Acting Head of Media and Publicity, Ifeanyi Nwoko, said the project features the upgrade of an airstrip in Kashimbilla to a Cargo/Agro-Allied Airport. It also has a combination of over 3,000 hectares of farmland, fish farming facilities and a ranch for livestock farming. Giving insights into the project, the…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Thursday, arraigned nine Chinese nationals and a company, Genting International Co. Ltd., over allegations of cyber terrorism and internet fraud. The defendants, who were arraigned before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court in Lagos, pleaded not guilty to the charges. The defendants were Su Dong Fu, Zheng Xian Tao, Wang Shi Long, Pan Cai Qi, Ting Liao, Fan Jia, Feng Li Cani, Lu Yong Yao and Yang Chen Cheng. According to the EFCC, the accused are members of the syndicate of 792 alleged cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud suspects arrested on…

The House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has recommended the creation of 31 new states in Nigeria, sparking a mix of reactions from different socio-political groups and former lawmakers. The committee, led by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct referendums in areas seeking new states as part of the constitutional amendment process. The proposed states include Itai from Akwa Ibom, Etiti from the South-East, Orlu from Imo and Anambra, Aba from Abia, Adada from Enugu, Njaba from Imo and Anambra, Anioma from Delta, Ogoja from Cross River,…

Major General Christopher Jemitola, former Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, died on Thursday after collapsing at the IBB Golf Club in Abuja. Sources close to the family said Jemitola was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival. Jemitola, from Ososo in Akoko Edo Local Government Area, had a distinguished military career. He served as the Nigerian Army’s Corps Commander of Signals, Defence Adviser to Brazil, and Director of Army Public Relations. He was appointed Obasanjo’s ADC between 2003 and 2007, holding the rank of colonel at the time. He later became the Chief of Policy…

Bill Gates has confirmed his relationship with Paula Hurd, describing her as his “serious girlfriend.” In a recent interview, the 69-year-old Microsoft co-founder shared his happiness, saying, “I’m lucky to have a serious girlfriend named Paula. We’re having fun, going to the Olympics, and enjoying many great experiences together.” Hurd, a philanthropist and developer, was previously married to former Oracle CEO Mark Hurd, who passed away in 2019. Gates and Hurd were first seen together in 2022 and went public with their relationship in early 2023. They’ve been spotted together at several high-profile events, including the Paris Olympics, the Breakthrough…

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) have welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s approval to extend the retirement age for doctors and healthcare workers from 60 to 65 years. The NMA confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday. Dr Mannir Bature, the association’s National Publicity Secretary, said the move would address the gap in Nigeria’s healthcare workforce. He added that the Coordinating Minister for Health, Professor Muhammad Pate, would present the approval to the Council on Establishment for final approval. This follows a meeting on Tuesday in Abuja with various healthcare stakeholders,…

US President, Donald Trump has signed an executive order banning transgender women and girls from competing in women’s sports. The order threatens schools with the loss of federal funding if they do not comply. The order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” was signed on National Girls and Women in Sports Day. It fulfils a key campaign promise to address concerns over transgender athletes. The order instructs the Education Department to revise its interpretation of Title IX, a 1972 law that prohibits sex discrimination in federally funded schools. Schools that fail to comply risk losing federal grants. “From now…

Kenya Airways has apologised to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority over the mistreatment of Nigerian passenger, Gloria Omisore, and for issuing a misleading statement on the incident. The apology followed a meeting between the airline’s management and NCAA officials in Abuja on Tuesday. The NCAA’s Director of Consumer Protection and Public Affairs, Michael Achimugu, disclosed this in a post on his official X handle. “Their team has apologised for the obfuscation of facts in their earlier statement. They also admitted that phone call or not, it was the airline’s fault for failing to identify the issue before airlifting the passenger…

Nollywood actress, Pat Ugwu, has passed away at the age of 35. Her colleague, Emeka Okoye, announced the development in an Instagram post on Wednesday along with a funeral poster detailing her funeral arrangements. “Rest in peace sis. Pat Ugwu. @patpat_ugwu so we no get to work again? Death whyooo? God please. Rest in peace PAT. May your soul rest in the bosom of the Lord,” Emeka wrote, expressing his grief. He also voiced his fears over the recent spate of losses in the industry, saying, “God please protect all my colleagues especially those am close to. This unusual Death…