Author: Festus Adeloye

The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmood Yakubu, has called on security agencies to remain vigilant and ensure the smooth conduct of the Edo and Ondo governorship elections. Yakubu made this call at a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security in Abuja, on Wednesday. The Edo and Ondo governorship polls are slated for September 21, 2024, and November 16, 2024, respectively. The INEC boss emphasised the need to protect election materials, personnel, and polling activities while reminding security forces to adhere to the rules of engagement for electoral duties. Yakubu expressed gratitude to security agencies for their…

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike if their abducted colleague, Dr Ganiyat Popoola, is not released by August 26. The President of NARD, Dr Dele Abdullahi, made this declaration at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, stating that the association has lost patience with the government’s inaction over the abduction. Dr Ganiyat, a registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna, was abducted on December 27, 2023, along with her husband and nephew. While her husband was released in March, Dr Ganiyat and her nephew remain in…

Thailand’s Constitutional Court sacked Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Wednesday, branding him dishonest in a ruling in an ethics case that throws the kingdom into fresh political turmoil. The judges ruled 5-4 that Srettha breached regulations by appointing a cabinet minister with a criminal conviction. The ruling comes a week after the same court dissolved the main opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) and banned its former leader from politics for 10 years. Srettha’s appointment showed he “has no honesty and breached ethical standards,” Judge Punya Udchachon said in reading the court’s judgment that “the ministerial position of the prime minister…

The lawmaker representing Kano South, Senator Sumaila Kawu, has revealed that he earns over N21m monthly as a total take-home package. This revelation is coming barely 24 hours after the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission said that each of the 109 senators in the upper chamber receives a total of N1.06m in salary and allowances per month. The RMAFC Chairman, Mohammed Shehu, said this as a form of clarification in response to recent controversies over the real amount each lawmaker earns per month. Based on Shehu’s disclosure, it would mean each lawmaker earns N12.72m in 12 months and the…

Nigeria’s external reserves have declined by 0.68 per cent to $36.620bn as of August 12, 2024, from $36.872bn recorded on August 7, 2024, data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) indicated. The development comes after it increased to US$37.88bn as of July 15, 2024, from US$34.76bn as of June 2024 ending. The CBN had in July, predicted that Nigeria’s external reserves could reduce slightly in 2024. This was disclosed in the maiden edition of its ‘Macroeconomic Outlook: Price Discovery for Economic Stabilisation’ report. The apex bank had attributed the projected decline to debt service and other obligations. The outlook…

Access Holdings Plc has extended the acceptance period for its ongoing N351 billion rights issue, providing existing shareholders and other investors additional opportunity to participate in the new capital raising. Access Holdings is offering 17.772 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each to existing shareholders at N19.75 per share. The offer opened on Monday, July 08, 2024. The offer period, which was initially scheduled to close today, August 14, 2024, has now been extended to August 23, 2024. The extension followed approval of the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC). In a regulatory filing at the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), Access Holdings…

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi. has applauded President Bola Tinubu for assenting to the Judicial Office Holders’ Salaries and Allowances Bill, 2024. In a statement on Tuesday, the AGF said by this historical assent, the yearning of judicial officers across the country for better conditions of service has been met. Fagbemi said that judicial officers in Nigeria have been on the same salary for almost two decades. He said Tinubu has demonstrated his commitment to the sustainable reform of the Administration of Justice which is an important component of judicial reforms. The…

Former presidential candidate and Labour Party flag bearer, Peter Obi, has met with the renowned music duo P-Square’s family. Peter Okoye, also known as Mr. P, publicly criticised his twin brother Paul Okoye on Monday amid an ongoing dispute between them. Paul, who is known as Rudeboy, recently claimed in an interview that Peter filed a petition with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking his arrest. In response, Peter issued an open letter denying the allegations and raising concerns about a secret company, Northside Music, which he claims is purportedly owned by their brother Jude Okoye and his…

Lille secured a place in the Champions League play-offs at the expense of Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce after a Jonathan David penalty in extra time snatched a 3-2 aggregate victory in Turkey on Tuesday. Fenerbahce lost the first leg 2-1 last week and looked to be going out until Bafode Diakite’s late own goal sent the match to extra time. Lille substitute Aissa Mandi was sent off on his debut for a reckless challenge on Irfan Can Kahveci, but the visitors were awarded a penalty for a handball by Jayden Oosterwolde and David made no mistake from the spot. Cenk Tosun…

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has received N50 billion from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from the proceeds of crime. Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, NELFUND, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr confirmed this during his visit to the Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede. President Bola Tinubu in his nationwide broadcast directed the commission to release N50bn to NELFUND for the student loan scheme. Speaking during the meeting, Sawyerr said: “We are aware of the funds from the proceeds of crime extended to NELFUND. We are here to express our gratitude for the gesture. We also want the…