At the Ramadan gathering held at the Banquet Hall of the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, said the economy is taking a turn for the better and Nigerians will “all smile once again” in the coming months. During the breaking of the fast, Tinubu assured attendees, including ministers and service chiefs, that the country is on the brink of improving economically. Tinubu stated, “Luckily, the economy is turning the corner. By the grace of God, in the coming months, we will have a bountiful harvest season and we shall all…
Author: Omolemi Eboisetale
Congressional leaders, alongside President Joe Biden, announced a deal on Tuesday morning to secure government funding, sidestepping a looming shutdown. The agreement specifically addressed the contentious issue of funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which had been a major sticking point in negotiations. Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana hailed the DHS deal as an important step towards ensuring government operations for the remainder of the fiscal year, set to conclude in September. Johnson stated that House and Senate committees had already commenced drafting bill text for prompt consideration by the legislative bodies. Reinforcing Johnson’s remarks, Senate Majority Leader…
The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and North-South Power Company Ltd (NSP) have inked a joint venture agreement for the establishment of the Shiroro Generating Company. Vice President Kashim Shettima, speaking at the Aso Rock Villa during the signing ceremony, emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to advancing clean energy initiatives. The joint venture project, which entails the creation of a 20MW On-grid Solar-Hydro Hybrid project in Shiroro, Niger State, signifies a significant milestone in Nigeria’s energy transition journey. “The Federal Government of Nigeria, under the able leadership of President Bola Tinubu, remains steadfast in supporting initiatives that drive economic growth,…
The Federal High Court in Osogbo, Osun State, journalists found themselves held hostage on Tuesday while covering the proceedings related to the bail application of Olalekan Oyeyemi, also known as ‘Emir,’ a member of the Osun Park Management System. Oyeyemi faces a 10-count charge including conspiracy, malicious damage, unlawful killing, and acts of terrorism, to which he has pleaded not guilty. The courtroom drama unfolded as Oyeyemi’s defense counsel, Edmund Biriomoni, withdrew a previous bail application and submitted a new one on March 13, 2024. However, the prosecutor, Rabiu Usman from the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja, opposed…
Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has petitioned the Federal High Court for a transfer from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) to Kuje prison. Kanu, who is currently held by the DSS, has raised alarming allegations of inadequate medical care and a purported conspiracy to endanger his life while in custody. Kanu lamented the lack of proper medical facilities within the DSS premises, claiming that his health condition, including congestive heart failure and swollen feet, requires urgent attention. He expressed frustration over the DSS’s alleged refusal to conduct necessary surgery.…
The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to ban and criminalise the importation of Adire/Kampala and other locally produced fabric imitations into the country. The house said the move became necessary to protect the general local cottage industry and conserve scarce foreign exchange. The resolution followed the adoption of a motion by Rep. Afolabi Afuape (APC-Ogun) at plenary in Abuja on Tuesday. The House urged the Federal Government to promote local Adire/Kampala fabric production industry in Nigeria, saying it would protect the general local cottage industry and conserve scarce foreign exchange. Moving…
The Federal High Court in Abuja has denied the bail application made by Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako, rendered the decision on Tuesday, opting instead to grant an accelerated hearing in the case. Kanu’s counsel, Alloy Ejimakor, had passionately appealed for bail on the grounds of his client’s deteriorating health condition, emphasizing that his continued detention by the Department of State Services (DSS) posed a grave threat to his life. Ejimakor further contended that Kanu’s ongoing incarceration hindered his ability to mount a robust defense. …
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has unveiled its timetable and schedule of activities for the forthcoming governorship primary election in Ondo State, Nigeria. Signed by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Sulaimon Argungu, the timetable outlines key dates leading up to the selection of the party’s candidate on April 25, 2024, ahead of the November 16, 2024, governorship election. According to the released timetable, the sale of nominations, expression of interest, and delegate forms for contestants will commence on April 3 and conclude on April 10, 2024. The primary election itself is scheduled to take place on April 25,…
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says the N1.15 trillion 2024 proposed FCT Statutory Budget was designed to transform the capital city and rural communities. Wike stated this when he appeared before the Senate and House Committees on FCT to defend the proposed statutory budget in Abuja on Monday. He explained that out of the N1.15 trillion, N421.44 billion was earmarked as recurrent expenditure, representing 36.7 per cent, while N726.3 billion was set aside for capital expenditure, representing 63.3 per cent. He also explained that the proposed capital expenditure would be dedicated to the development…
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has announced the securing of $125 million loan from the Islamic Development Bank to facilitate the implementation of the state’s 2024 budget. This is as a result of the state government’s plans for infrastructure and education upgrades, aimed at enhancing the overall development landscape of Abia. Governor Otti revealed the loan approval during a recent engagement with journalists in Umuahia, the state capital. Additionally, he disclosed that the African Development Bank has also sanctioned funds to support various initiatives in the state. “We have received offers of loan from commercial banks, but we have…
Binance has revealed that the total value of assets it maintains for its users are now worth more than $100 billion. This was revealed in a statement through a post on X on monday, where they disclosed to their users saying, “All user funds are backed at a 1:1 ratio and are fully verifiable through our Proof of Reserves”.. However, this comes at a time of regulatory tensions in Nigeria, where Binance recently suspended its naira to dollar exchange services following a dispute with Nigerian authorities. Accusations of manipulating the country’s foreign exchange rate and facilitating illicit fund flows led…
On Monday, less than two hours after a report surfaced about a competition between President Obama and President Biden, former President Barack Obama met with the United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The meeting, which took place at Sunak’s residence in London, marks Obama’s first in-person encounter with Sunak since the latter assumed office as prime minister. Obama, who described the meeting as a “courtesy visit,” was seen leaving Sunak’s residence on Monday afternoon, providing no further details about the nature of their discussions. The timing of the meeting is particularly noteworthy, coming just hours after the emergence of a…