Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has terminated the appointment of the Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Bassey Okon. This was announced in a statement released by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Enobong Uwah, in Uyo, the state capital, on Monday. Although the governor did not provide specific reasons for the dismissal, the statement emphasized that the termination takes immediate effect. Governor Eno expressed his appreciation for Dr. Okon’s service to the state and extended his best wishes for his future endeavors. The governor instructed Dr. Okon to transfer all government property in his possession to the Permanent…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
Malawian searchers have found the wreckage of a plane that was carrying Vice President Saulos Chilima, a military source said Tuesday, a day after the aircraft went missing in bad weather. The military plane carrying Chilima, 51, and nine others disappeared on Monday after it failed to land in the northern city of Mzuzu due to poor visibility and was told to return to the capital, Lilongwe and there was no survivor in the wreckage. Photographs shared with AFP by a member of the military rescue team showed army personnel standing on a foggy slope near debris bearing the registration…
Benny Gantz, former Israeli Defence Minister and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s chief political rival, has resigned from the war cabinet, returning to his previous status as an ex-defence minister and ex-chief of staff. Gantz’s departure, effective one day after his self-imposed June 8 deadline, follows his earlier warning that he would exit the government if Netanyahu failed to deliver a coherent plan for the release of hostages and post-war Gaza governance. In his televised statement on Sunday evening, Gantz expressed the difficulty of his decision, stating, “Leaving the government is a complex and painful decision. Netanyahu prevents us from moving…
The United States and Kenya have made substantial progress in their ongoing negotiations under the U.S.-Kenya Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership. The latest negotiating round, held from June 3 to June 7 in Mombasa, Kenya, saw key representatives from both nations engaging in constructive discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral trade ties. Led by Assistant U.S. Trade Representative Constance Hamilton and Principal Secretary for Trade Alfred K’Ombudo, the delegations exchanged views on critical aspects of the partnership. These discussions centered on crucial topics such as agriculture, customs, trade facilitation, enforcement, good regulatory practices, and workers’ rights and protections. The commitment to…
In a meeting held at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, the South-West Governors’ Forum reaffirmed their call for the establishment of state police to combat the increasing insecurity in Nigeria. The forum elected Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the new Chairman, following the tenure of the late Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. Present at the meeting were governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), and Sanwo-Olu. The forum also introduced a regional anthem, “Ise wa fun ile wa.” The forum expressed satisfaction with the “relative peace in the…
The Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has affirmed the membership of 25 Rivers State House of Assembly members in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The court’s decision, delivered by Justice Okogbule Gbasam, dismissed a lawsuit filed by Wosa Amadi and three others, which sought to declare the seats of the 27 lawmakers vacant due to their alleged defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in December. Justice Gbasam’s ruling emphasized that the claimants failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove the defection of the 27 lawmakers. The judge stated that allegations of defection cannot be substantiated through newspaper…
Former President Donald Trump referred to the January 6 Capitol rioters as “warriors” and reiterated false claims about the 2020 election being rigged during a rally in Las Vegas on Sunday. Addressing a crowd amidst extreme heat, Trump also announced plans to eliminate taxes on tips for service workers if re-elected, targeting a key voter base in the hospitality-driven city. Trump defended the actions of the Capitol rioters, labeling them as victims of a setup by police. “Those J6 warriors, they were warriors, but they were really more than anything else, they’re victims of what happened. All they were doing…
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, says it has arrested three suspects at an illegal oil refinery in Rivers. This is contained in a statement by the corps spokesperson, Babawale Afolabi, on Monday in Abuja. Afolabi said that the illegal bunkering activities site was located at Nembe/Odagwa Creek in Etche LGA of the state. He explained that a large dug-out reservoir constructed and padded with tarpaulin which could contain 100,000 litres of illegally refined crude oil was uncovered at the site. He also said that the alleged suspects were currently assisting with all necessary information and would be charged…
In a joint statement released by the U.S. Department of Defense and the Department of National Defense of the Republic of Niger, significant progress has been announced regarding the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Niger. The transition, which commenced with the departure of a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III from Air Base 101 in Niamey on June 7, 2024, marks a milestone in the cooperative efforts between the two nations. The withdrawal process, overseen by the Joint Disengagement Commission, aims to ensure the orderly and safe redeployment of U.S. forces and assets from Niger. This commission, formed to coordinate…
On the occasion of World Ocean Day, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken stated the United States’ commitment to ocean conservation through a series of strategic initiatives and international partnerships. In a press statement released on June 7, 2024, Blinken outlined the U.S.’s comprehensive efforts to address critical challenges affecting coastal communities and marine ecosystems. Central to the U.S. strategy is the advancement of marine protected areas (MPAs) as part of the global 30×30 goal, which aims to conserve or protect 30 percent of the ocean by 2030. The U.S. encourages other nations to achieve this milestone in their respective…
The Nigerian Army successfully foiled a kidnap attempt in the Oviri-Ogor community of Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State. The incident occurred during a surveillance patrol when gallant troops intervened to rescue victims from gunmen suspected to be kidnappers. The troops also rescued passengers from a kidnapping attempt by Fulani herdsmen on the Ughelli axis of the East-West Road. Reports reveal that the suspected kidnappers trailed one of their victims to his newly completed building along HRM Igere III Road in Oviri-Ogor, only to find him absent. Despite the sketchy nature of the initial report, a community source disclosed…
A group of human rights activists has taken legal action against the Benue State Government, contesting the recent enactment of the Public Order Bill signed into law by Governor Hyacinth Alia. Filed at the High Court in Makurdi, the state capital, the lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of the legislation, particularly its prohibition on hawking at public events after 10 PM. Governor Alia approved the controversial Public Order Bill on May 25, 2024, following its passage by the state assembly. Since its implementation, the law has sparked widespread debate and criticism among concerned citizens. The plaintiffs, Bemgba Iortyom and Adebayo Ogorry,…