Author: Festus Adeloye

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that the decentralisation of Rivers State University (RSU) campuses has not yielded the expected outcomes. The previous administration, led by former Governor Nyesom Wike, now FCT Minister, had established three additional RSU campuses in Ahoada, Emohua, and Etche Local Government Areas. Each campus was designated to host a faculty, aligning with what Wike described as the original vision of the university’s founders, while the main campus remains in Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, near Mile 3 Market in Port Harcourt. Speaking on Tuesday while receiving members of the Kalabari ethnic group on a solidarity visit, Governor Fubara…

US President Donald Trump has fired the independent inspector general for the US Agency for International Development (USAID), US media outlets reported on Wednesday. Paul Martin’s dismissal came a day after his office issued a report critical of the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the agency, the Washington Post, CNN and others reported. They cited a two-sentence email from the White House sent on Tuesday to Martin telling him his position was “terminated, effective immediately,” but with no explanation of the reasons for the decision. His office’s report had warned that more than $489 million in food assistance was at…

Following intense opposition from stakeholders, the Nigeria Customs Service has announced the suspension of the implementation of a 4% Free-on-Board (FOB) value on imports. Customs’ spokesman, Abdullahi Maiwada, in a statement on Tuesday, said the suspension would enable comprehensive engagement and consultations between the Minister of Finance Olawale Edun and other stakeholders. The FOB, which is a 4% charge on imported goods,  was meant to replace an older system where companies like Webb Fontaine handled import inspections for a 1% fee. “The timing of this suspension aligns with the exit of the contract agreement with the Service providers, including Webb…

Amid the announcement of a breakup with his wife, Annie Macualay, Nigerian Music star Innocent Idibia popularly known as Tuface or 2baba, has confirmed relationship with the Deputy Majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly, Natasha Osawaru. With rumours of their relationship flying around, Tuface caused a stir on Monday when he appeared at the Edo State House of Assembly during plenary. While many on social media wondered what his appearance at the House was for, others viewed that as a confirmation of the rumoured romance with the Edo State lawmaker. However, the legendary singer addressed the rumours…

No fewer than 12 people have died from Lassa fever in Ondo State, with 112 confirmed cases and 353 reported infections, the state government has disclosed. The Acting Statistician-General of Ondo State, Olusola Ajayi, revealed this on Tuesday in Akure while addressing workers of the Ondo State Waste Management Authority. Ajayi urged the agency to collaborate with health stakeholders to ensure a cleaner environment and help curb the spread of the disease. “We are all in this together, and we must act fast. As of today, Ondo State has recorded 353 cases of Lassa fever, with 112 confirmed cases and…

At least five political parties are expected to participate in the forthcoming Saturday’s local government election in Katsina State. They include: the Accord Party, Booth Party, African Action Congress (AAC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and the All Progressives Congress (APC). Other parties, numbering up to 86 however did not show interest for reasons only known to them. The chairman of the Katsina State Electoral Commission, Lawal Faskari, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press briefing held at the headquarters of the agency along the Katsina Old Government House, Katsina. Arrangements, according to Faskari, have been concluded to ensure peaceful conduct…

Heavily armed police officers took over local government secretariats across Osun State on Tuesday. This followed the Court of Appeal ruling in Akure, which upheld appeals by the chairman elected under the All Progressives Congress in the October 15, 2022, local government elections. These chairmen and councillors had been removed by Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High Court, Osogbo, in November 2022. However, the Appeal Court ruled in their favour. Following the judgment on Monday, there were disagreements over its interpretation. APC members claimed the ruling reinstated the sacked officials but the state government, through the Commissioner for Information…

The Chairman of the Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu (retd.), has requested the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to investigate two senior officers of the Zone 7 Police Command over their alleged involvement in a civil land dispute, extortion and abuse of office. Argungu, in a letter to the IGP, urged the setting up of a competent committee to probe the officer in charge of the Legal Unit and the Deputy Commissioner in charge of Operations of the Zone. In a statement on Tuesday by the PSC’s spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, the PSC chairman accused the officers of violating…

Embattled former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai says he won’t opt for exile despite the many rumours that he might be arrested and tortured by the Bola Tinubu administration. El-Rufai, who has been embroiled in a battle of words with the Presidency and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), said he won’t be intimidated by the current administration. The former governor, in a response to a post by an X user Imran Wakili on the alleged plot to arrest him, said he would return to Nigeria from Egypt before February 20, 2025. He said, “I have been hearing these same…

The Federal Government has commenced ministerial press briefings as part of efforts to promote transparency and accountability in governance. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced this during a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday. Idris stated that President Bola Tinubu had directed all ministers to appear periodically before the media to provide updates on their activities and policies. According to Idris, the briefings will serve as a platform for ministers to directly engage with Nigerians, highlight key developments in their respective ministries, and address public concerns. The minister noted that other ministers would also take turns…