Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has declared the Nigeria Air project, introduced by the Buhari administration, as fraudulent and remains suspended. Speaking during the second day of the Ministerial Sectorial update, Keyamo stated the lack of transparency and indigenous involvement in the project. Keyamo described the so-called national carrier as an “Ethiopian airline trying to fly our flag,” and not a genuine Nigerian endeavor. “It was never Air Nigeria, it was Ethiopian trying to flag our flag. It was not Air Nigeria. That is the truth. It was not Nigeria. It only printed Air Nigeria,” he…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, Minister of Blue Economy, and Gboyega Oyetola, have called for the establishment of a dedicated shipping regulatory agency. The proposal was discussed during a public hearing on the Shipping Council’s Repeal and Enactment of the Shippers’ Council and Economic Regulatory Bill, held in Abuja on Monday. Represented by Sada Soli, lawmaker for Jibia/Kaita Federal Constituency, Speaker Abbas emphasized that the creation of a shipping regulatory agency would strengthen the newly formed Ministry of Blue Economy and foster economic development. “This re-enactment bill seeks to ensure that the proposed agency establishes an…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on the owners of 635,011 uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Edo and Ondo states to retrieve their cards. As of the latest statistics, 373,030 PVCs remain uncollected in Edo State, while 261,981 are unclaimed in Ondo State. The Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, which commenced today, May 27, will run until June 5, operating daily from 9 am to 3 pm, including weekends. This aims to accommodate voters ahead of the elections scheduled for September 21, 2024, in Edo State and November 16, 2024, in Ondo State. To enhance…
The Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has initiated an investigation into the recent derailment of a train traveling from Kaduna to Abuja. The incident occurred on Sunday morning, with several coaches derailing in a mountainous area near the Jere corridor. Despite the derailment, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) assured passengers that normal train services between Kaduna-Rigasa and Idu Abuja are continuing without interruption. The NSIB confirmed its awareness of the incident and announced that a team has been dispatched to investigate the cause of the derailment. “We are aware of the derailment of an Abuja-bound train from Kaduna,…
A student at Ajayi Crowther University was brutally beaten to death by a group of students at the Shepherd Inn hostel, allegedly over a stolen mobile phone. The tragic incident has led to the suspension and investigation of the hostel porter, whose identity remains undisclosed. According to Femi Atoyebi, the university spokesperson, several students have been arrested and handed over to the police. However, the total number of those involved in the fatal beating is still unknown. “For now, I think we have some, and those have been handed over to the police,” Atoyebi said during a telephone interview.…
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has voiced criticisms of three key policies of the current administration, stating that although two were necessary, their implementation was flawed, leading to negative economic consequences. Speaking at the Paul Aje Colloquium in Abuja, Obasanjo outlined his concerns and proposed solutions for Nigeria’s economic and security challenges. Obasanjo’s critique, relayed through his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, targeted the removal of fuel subsidies and the alignment of black market and official exchange rates. He argued that both policies, while essential, were poorly executed, exacerbating the country’s economic woes. He also commented on the government’s…
Leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have gathered in Abuja for a leadership retreat and National Executive Council (NEC) meeting. The three-day event, commencing with arrivals on Sunday, underscores the ADC’s commitment to “deepen democracy and build a frontline political party in the country.” The retreat’s theme, “What Nigerian Voters Want – A Strategic Public Engagement,” reflects the party’s focus on aligning its goals with the needs and expectations of the Nigerian electorate. Chukwuka Monye, a former Presidential hopeful and a member of the ADC’s Board of Trustees (BoT), emphasized the retreat’s focus on critical areas such as party…
The leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Youths Wing Vanguard in Zamfara state, Alhaji Ashiru Tukur and Engr Garba Shafi’i, have officially disassociated themselves and their supporters from a purported plot to recall Senator Sahabi Ya’u Kaura from the Senate. Speaking to the press on Sunday, they labeled the recall rumors as a malicious effort by disgruntled elements aiming to destabilize the APC’s unity in Zamfara state. The group leaders stated, “We disassociate ourselves, our good members of the party from all the four local governments of Shinkafi, Kaura Namoda, Zurmi, and Birnin Magaji from this political blunder orchestrated…
Displaced by Israel’s prolonged Gaza offensive, Salwa al-Masri and other Palestinians are seeking immediate enforcement of a recent International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling demanding Israel halt its military actions in Rafah. “The massacres are only increasing,” Masri said while preparing a meal outside her tent in Deir al-Balah, highlighting the disparity between international declarations and on-the-ground realities. “We want these decisions to be implemented on the ground.” On Friday, the ICJ ordered Israel to cease its offensive in Rafah governorate following a case brought by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide. However, with no enforcement mechanism at its disposal,…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to bolstering the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) with advanced aircraft and equipment to enhance national security. This declaration was made during the ceremonial parade in Kaduna commemorating the NAF’s 60th anniversary. Speaking on behalf of the President, Vice President Shettima praised the NAF’s six decades of service, stating the organization’s transformation into a resilient force adept at addressing security threats. “I bear with me today the gratitude of a nation that has watched your transformation into a formidable and resilient organization, vigilant of the dynamics and…
At least 16 people were killed, most of them children, when a fire broke out at a packed amusement park arcade in India on Saturday, officials said. Footage posted on social media, which AFP was not able to immediately verify, showed a ferocious blaze engulfing a structure, with black smoke pouring into the sky. Prabhav Joshi, the district collector of Rajkot, in the western state of Gujarat, told AFP that 16 people had died in the inferno and nine were hospitalised.0 Rescue operations were continuing and the toll could rise further, he added. Some media reports put the number of…
Former President Trump’s rally on Thursday night marked a departure from the typical MAGA crowd, highlighting a potential realignment within the GOP. The event drew several thousand attendees in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood in deep blue New York, reflecting Trump’s growing appeal among working-class and multiracial voters. The crowd at Crotona Park consisted of construction workers, security guards, nurses, barbers, and some out-of-state activists, indicating a shift towards a more diverse, working-class base for the GOP. During a break from his criminal trial, Trump emphasized his connection to New York, promising to make life more affordable and improve infrastructure, including…