The House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources, Downstream, and Midstream has urged citizens to remain calm assuring swift action against hoarders and saboteurs. The committee, led by Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere and Hon. Odianosen Henry Okojie, addressed the press in Abuja on Wednesday, highlighting the causes of the scarcity and steps being taken to alleviate the situation. According to their findings, although there is an ample supply of petrol products available, logistical challenges in transporting the products from offshore to onshore have disrupted distribution to marketers. However, the committee assured that these challenges have been addressed, and normalcy is…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
In the wake of shocking reports detailing the massacre of civilians by Burkinabe military forces in late February, global condemnation has surged, with the United Kingdom and the United States leading the charge for justice. According to a recent Human Rights Watch report, at least 223 civilians, including 56 children, were brutally executed in the villages of Nondin and Soro in Burkina Faso’s Yatenga province. Expressing grave concern, the Governments of the United Kingdom and the United States issued a joint statement demanding thorough investigations into the massacres and calling for accountability for those responsible. They extended their deepest condolences…
The United States of America and Côte d’Ivoire have cemented a groundbreaking collaboration to confront the menace of foreign state information manipulation. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between U.S. Ambassador Jessica Davis Ba and Ivoirian Minister for Foreign Affairs Léon Kacou Adom states a shared commitment to counter disinformation and propaganda, which pose grave threats to societal cohesion, electoral processes, and public trust in governance. Foreign state information manipulation has emerged as a transnational security challenge, capable of sowing discord within nations and among international communities. The MOU, rooted in the recognition of this shared threat, charts a path…
Taiwan and Nigeria are set to embark on a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing economic cooperation and knowledge transfer between the two nations. Reports from Vanguard indicate that the initiative was unveiled during a Knowledge Sharing Workshop on E-health, Agriculture, and Cyber Security, organized by the Taiwan Trade Mission in collaboration with the Taiwan Friendship Association in Nigeria. Held in Abuja, the event highlighted the potential for collaboration between Taiwan, renowned for its technological advancements, and Nigeria, boasting the largest economy in Africa and a burgeoning population. Speaking at the workshop, Ambassador Andy Yih-Ping Liu of the Taipei Trade Office…
In a concerted effort to fortify democratic processes worldwide, Administrator Samantha Power of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) convened with Dr. Tamara Wittes, President of the National Democratic Institute (NDI). The meeting, held on April 29, 2024, highlighted the pressing need to collaboratively address mounting threats to democracy across numerous nations. During the discourse, Administrator Power and Dr. Wittes stated the criticality of sustained collaboration in strategizing, preempting, and countering challenges to democratic systems. Central among these threats were identified as information manipulation, efforts aimed at discrediting electoral mechanisms, and menacing actions directed towards advocates of democracy…
In a statement marking the twentieth anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 (UNSCR 1540), the United States has emphasized the critical need to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). The resolution mandates that all nations take measures to thwart the transfer of WMD-related goods and knowledge to non-state actors, serving as a crucial tool in safeguarding global peace and security. UNSCR 1540, adopted in 2004, addresses the proliferation of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, along with their means of delivery and financing. The United States asserts that despite two decades since its inception, the threat…
Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned from his diplomatic mission to Nairobi, Kenya, where he represented President Bola Tinubu at the International Development Association Summit. The summit, hosted by Kenyan President William Ruto, saw Shettima joining other African leaders in advocating for a significant replenishment of the World Bank’s concessional lending arm, the IDA. This marked Shettima’s ninth foreign trip since he assumed office just 11 months ago, Upon his arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, Shettima engaged in a closed-door meeting with United States Deputy Secretary of State, Kurt Campbell, and his team. According to Stanley…
As the U.S. Supreme Court deliberates over former President Donald Trump’s claims of immunity from criminal prosecution, Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s past opinion on presidential immunity has come under scrutiny. Kavanaugh’s stance, articulated in a 2009 legal review, sheds light on his perspective regarding the legal protections afforded to sitting presidents. In his article published in the Minnesota Law Review over a decade ago, Kavanaugh argued in favor of protecting sitting presidents from prosecution, citing the arduous nature of the presidential role and emphasizing the availability of the impeachment process as a means of accountability. He emphasized that no single prosecutor,…
The President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Uche Ojinmah, said that the rising healthcare costs are plunging Nigerians deeper into poverty. Speaking at a webinar organized by TheCable to mark its 10th anniversary, Dr. Ojinmah stressed the urgent need for comprehensive action to address the alarming rise in the prices of essential medicines and medical consumables across Nigeria. Titled ‘Addressing escalating costs of medicines,’ the virtual event aimed to catalyze dialogue among key stakeholders to identify practical solutions to alleviate the dire situation and ensure equitable access to essential healthcare. Despite earlier promises, the government’s delay in issuing…
New York Judge Juan Merchan has imposed a $9,000 fine on former President Donald Trump for repeated violations of a gag order in the hush money trial. The judge also mandated the removal of specific posts from Trump’s Truth Social platform and campaign website by a specified time. Merchan’s ruling came after Trump was found to have breached the gag order nine times by criticizing expected trial witnesses on social media and his campaign page. Trump has been instructed to pay the fine by the week’s end, with the judge warning of potential incarceration if further violations occur. During last…
Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, has appointed himself as the Commissioner for Lands, Survey, and Physical Planning. This announcement was made during the inauguration of 24 newly appointed commissioners at the Government House in Owerri on Tuesday, April 30. The decision to appoint himself to this position comes amidst a series of changes in the leadership of the ministry, which has been embroiled in controversy in recent times. Initially, Enyinnaya Onuegbu held the position of Lands Commissioner during the Governor’s first tenure. However, he was later replaced by Noble Obiaso Atulegwu due to allegations of corruption. Noble’s tenure was…
In the latest revelation from VisaGuide’s World Passport Index, the Nigerian passport has been positioned as the 10th worst travel document globally. This ranking places Nigeria at 191 out of 199 countries assessed, signaling significant limitations for Nigerian passport holders in international travel. The index, which utilizes the Destination Significance Score (DSS) to evaluate and rank passports, factors in various criteria to determine their strength. Despite efforts to improve international relations and diplomatic ties, the Nigerian passport finds itself placed above countries such as North Korea, Iraq, and Libya. Singapore emerges as the leader in passport strength, securing the top…