A Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo, airport sources told newsmen, amid renewed negotiations for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal with Israel. The three-member Hamas delegation flew in from Doha to discuss the latest proposal for a ceasefire. An exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails is also in the cards. Israeli news website, ynet, reported that the proposal envisages the release of 33 hostages in return for several hundred Palestinian prisoners. These include women, female soldiers, elderly people, the injured, and the “mentally impaired”. Citing a senior Israeli government representative, ynet reported that the duration…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
At least 42 people were killed when a dam burst in a town north of the Kenyan capital Nairobi, the local governor told AFP on Monday. The East African country is battling heavy rains and floods. “Forty-two dead, it’s a conservative estimate. There are still more in the mud. We are working on recovery,” said the governor of Nakuru County, Susan Kihika. The dam burst near the Rift Valley town of Mai Mahiu, washing away houses and cutting off a road. Previously, officials said 76 people had lost their lives in Kenya since March, as heavier than…
Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti has issued a public apology to Bolaji Ayorinde, a senior lawyer, over defamatory remarks made in relation to the Process and Industrial Development (P&ID) gas processing contract dispute. The apology follows a lawsuit filed against Kuti for libel and defamation of character. In a video posted on social media, Kuti had insinuated that Ayorinde intentionally leaked information to P&ID during arbitration proceedings. However, during a court hearing on April 18, 2024, both parties presented a terms of settlement, which was subsequently adopted by the court. Justice K. Olawoyin approved the terms of settlement as…
The National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE) has clashed with Heritage Bank PLC over allegations of wrongful termination and non-payment of severance benefits to approximately 1,000 laid-off workers. Last week, leaders of NUBIFIE and disgruntled members staged a protest at the bank’s Victoria Island Headquarters, demanding justice for the affected workers. Chanting solidarity songs and brandishing placards with slogans such as “CBN call Heritage Bank to order” and “Banking is not slavery,” the demonstrators voiced their dissatisfaction with the bank’s treatment of its former employees. Anthony Abakpa, President of NUBIFIE, condemned the bank’s actions,…
Mr. Alaba Abe, a major figure in Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s campaign team, was brutally assassinated by unknown gunmen in Supare Akoko, Ondo State. Abe, affectionately known as Excel, played an important role as one of the ward campaign coordinators during the recent All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary, which Governor Aiyedatiwa emerged victorious from. The harrowing incident unfolded on Saturday evening, casting a dark shadow over the state. Sources reveal that Abe, who also served as the Returning Officer for the party’s primary in Ward 10, was fatally shot in front of his residence at around 9 pm. …
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are scheduled to visit Nigeria in May 2024 to fortify ties with the Invictus Games initiative. The Invictus Games, founded by Prince Harry, aims to provide a platform for wounded, injured, and sick service personnel from around the world to showcase their resilience and determination. With over 500 participants and 21 nations in attendance at the last event, including Nigeria’s notable performance with gold and silver medals, the Games have become a symbol of rehabilitation and recognition for military personnel. Brigadier General Tukur Vusau, Acting Director of Defence Information,em…
Five functionaries have been suspended by the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) for what has been described as an ‘unauthorised’ visit to the Ooni of Ife. The suspension follows allegations of sacrilegious conduct and misrepresentation of the Benin Custom during their visit. The suspended functionaries, identified as Johnbull Igbinosun, Iduhonre (Ihogbe), S.E. Aigbiremwen, Efesieoghoba (Ogbelaka), along with Ogbeide Osagie and Osamudiame Edo, purportedly visited the Ooni of Ife, claiming to be emissaries of the Oba of Benin. They allegedly provided inaccurate and disjointed accounts of the historical connection between the Benin Royal Dynasty and the Ooni-ship of Ife. The statement, signed…
Former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, has criticized the recent trip of Northern governors to the United States, labeling it as a display of ignorance regarding Nigeria’s constitution. Lamido’s remarks come in response to the governors’ participation in a two-day symposium on Peace and Security in Northern Nigeria, organized by the United States Institute of Peace from April 23 to April 25, 2024. Lamido expressed dismay that the governors chose to discuss matters of insecurity, which fall under the exclusive legislative list of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, during their trip. He said that engaging in discussions on security…
President Bola Tinubu defended the controversial removal of fuel subsidies during his participation as a panelist at the ongoing World Economic Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Tinubu Said that the subsidy removal was crucial to prevent Nigeria from facing bankruptcy and to reset the economy towards sustainable growth. The decision to remove the subsidy, announced on the day of Tinubu’s inauguration into office, sparked debate and saw a surge in commodity prices, leading to increased hardship for many Nigerians. “Inclusivity and economic collaboration are essential for stability in Nigeria and globally,” Tinubu stated, addressing concerns over the subsidy removal.…
In response to recent allegations against Nestle, the global food giant, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a statement reassuring the Nigerian public. The agency insists that the Nestle Cerelac infant cereals distributed in Nigeria are duly registered and compliant with safety standards. The statement follows an investigative report suggesting that Nestle adds sugar and honey to infant milk and cereal products sold in many poorer countries, contrary to international guidelines aimed at preventing obesity and chronic diseases. Prof Christianah Adeyeye, the Director-General of NAFDAC, emphasized the agency’s commitment to regulatory…
There was an extensive gridlock stretching over five kilometres on the road under reconstruction as part of the N200 billion Ring Road project by the Rivers Government. State government trucks, accompanied by police and Federal Road Safety Commission officials, were seen evacuating the burnt vehicles to facilitate traffic flow. An eyewitness, Onyeka Ubani, who narrowly escaped the explosion, told NAN that while transporting passengers on his newly acquired tricycle (Keke), they heard a deafening sound ahead of them. “The loud sound was followed by a massive fireball, causing everyone to flee for safety. “We managed to…
Iraqi TikTok sensation Ghufran Sawadi, widely known as Umm Fahad, was fatally shot outside her residence in Baghdad, the capital of Iraq. The incident occurred in the Zayouna area east of Baghdad, where Sawadi fell victim to an unknown assailant’s gunfire on Friday night. Video footage captured by a surveillance camera depicted the horrifying moment when a gunman, riding a motorcycle, mercilessly opened fire on Sawadi, leading to her untimely demise. Confirming the authenticity of the video, a Baghdad police source revealed the distressing details to CNN. Promptly responding to the heinous crime, Iraq’s Interior Minister announced the…