The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign former Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, along with his daughter, Fatima, and two others, for alleged abuse of office amounting to N2.7 billion. The arraignment is scheduled to take place before Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Maitama. Sirika, a prominent figure in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, faces a six-count amended charge related to fraudulent contracts awarded during his tenure as Aviation Minister. The EFCC, in its investigation into financial irregularities within the ministry, detained Sirika on April 23 in…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
To address the prolonged non-payment of salary arrears totaling N3 billion to local government and State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) workers in Kwara State, the Kwara State House of Assembly has called for an investigation into the matter. The funds, allocated in February 2024 to settle outstanding salary debts inherited from the previous administration, have yet to reach the intended beneficiaries, raising concerns among stakeholders. During the plenary session on Tuesday, Hon. Mohammed Baba Salihu, representing Okuta/Yashikira constituency, tabled the motion titled “The Need For Consultant In Charge Of Payment Salaries Of Local Government And SUBEB Workers in Kwara…
As the Islamic calendar approaches the month of Zulqa’ada, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has issued a directive urging Muslims to commence the search for the new moon. This was announced through a statement released by Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu, the Chairman of the Sultanate Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs. The Sultan, who also serves as the President-General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria, stated the need to sight the new moon of Zulqa’ada on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Corresponding to the 29th day of Shawwal in the Islamic calendar (1445 AH), this…
Israel sent tanks into Rafah in southern Gaza, seizing control of the border crossing with Egypt on Tuesday, an operation the United Nations said denied it access to the key humanitarian passage. The military’s thrust into the eastern sector of the city packed with displaced civilians came a day after Israel warned Palestinians in the area to evacuate ahead of a long-threatened ground operation. Army footage showed tanks flying the Israeli flag taking “operational control” of the Palestinian side of the border crossing, it said, in a deployment that had a “very limited scope against very specific targets”. UN humanitarian…
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced a commitment of $200 million towards the procurement and distribution of life-saving nutrition commodities. This initiative, spearheaded by Administrator Samantha Power, aims to maximize the availability of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) and other specialized nutritious foods, crucial in preventing and treating acute malnutrition. The funds will support partnerships with organizations such as UNICEF and the UN World Food Program (WFP) to ensure the distribution of these essential nutrition supplies to regions grappling with severe food insecurity. Countries including Sudan, Burkina Faso, and Haiti, among others, will benefit from this assistance,…
The recent termination of 391 employees by the Lagos Water Corporation has triggered uproar and planned demonstrations from several unions. The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Lagos State Council, in collaboration with the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees, and the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies, have agreed to rally against the mass layoffs on wednesday. The corporation defended its decision, asserting that the terminations were part of a restructuring initiative aimed at improving operational efficiency and addressing persistent water scarcity challenges in the state. However, unions argue…
A group called the Yoruba National Youths, both home and abroad, have staunchly reiterated their quest for Yoruba Nation autonomy. In a joint statement signed by Prophet Ayodele Ologunloluwa and Comrade Oyegunle Oluwamayowa Omotoyole, the youth leaders declared the pursuit of Yoruba Nation autonomy as non-negotiable. The youths condemned remarks made by Chief Gilbert Olokesusi, labeling them as reckless and stressing that there is no turning back on their autonomy demand. They criticized the Federal Government’s handling of security challenges in Yoruba land, giving an ultimatum for action against Fulani herdsmen’s atrocities by June 30th, 2024. They opposed recent efforts…
A Florida judge, District Judge Aileen Cannon, has indefinitely postponed the trial concerning documents retained by former President Donald Trump. Originally slated for May 20, the trial’s delay comes amidst a flurry of pre-trial motions inundating the court. Judge Cannon, who was appointed by Trump, refrained from setting a new trial date. This decision deals a blow to special counsel Jack Smith, the prosecutor behind the charges against Trump. Moreover, it casts doubt on the likelihood of the trial taking place before the upcoming election, just six months away, where Trump is the presumed Republican nominee for president. Trump’s legal…
The United States has condemned the recent attack on an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp situated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The assault, reportedly perpetrated by the Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF) and M23 positions, resulted in the tragic loss of nine lives and left at least 33 individuals wounded, with many being women and children. Matthew Miller, the Department Spokesperson, conveyed the US government’s strong condemnation of the attack, emphasizing the urgent need for respecting human rights and adhering to international humanitarian laws. The escalating conflict in eastern DRC, exacerbated by the RDF and M23 expansion, has…
The Federal Government has abolished signature bonuses, removing a major hurdle for potential investors. The announcement was made by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Heineken Lokpobiri, during the ongoing 2024 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas. Signature bonuses, a non-recoverable lump sum payment required upon the granting of a petroleum exploration license, have long been cited as a barrier to investment in the sector. Lokpobiri stated that Nigeria remains committed to attracting investment in its oil and gas industry, recognizing its pivotal role in the country’s economic development and recovery. Addressing concerns about the future of…
Assistant to the Administrator (AtA) of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Dina Esposito, is set to play a pivotal role at the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit in Nairobi, Kenya. Scheduled for May 3, 2024, Esposito’s participation underscores USAID’s commitment to bolstering food security across the continent. Esposito’s agenda includes delivering keynote remarks on U.S. initiatives aimed at fortifying food security and engaging in high-level discussions with foreign dignitaries, donor government officials, and implementing partners. The focus will be on how the United States can assist African nations in adapting to the escalating…
In a celebration of two decades of collaboration between the Department of State and the World Food Prize Foundation, the 2024 World Food Prize Laureate will be announced at the ceremony on May 9th. The event, to be held in the Benjamin Franklin Room at the Department of State, will commence at 9:30 a.m. with remarks from Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken. The President of the World Food Prize Foundation, Ambassador Terry Branstad, will then reveal this year’s Laureates, marking the 38th anniversary of the establishment of the esteemed award. Recognizing individuals who have significantly contributed to advancing…