The commencement of the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage season sees Nigerian pilgrims embarking on their sacred journey, with the first batch arriving safely in Madina, Saudi Arabia. Among the pilgrims were individuals from Jega and Arewa Local Government Areas of Kebbi State, Nigeria, accompanied by officials from the State Pilgrims Welfare Board. Expressing gratitude towards their state governor, Dr. Nasir Idris, and the Executive Chairman of the Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Faruku Aliyu-Enabo, the pilgrims hailed the efforts that ensured the successful take-off of their inaugural flight. Alhaji Hussaini Argungu, a board member of the state pilgrims board, praised…
Author: Promise Babatunde
The Federal Government of Nigeria has secured $17.5 million to drive research funding in six emerging technologies. The announcement was made by Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), during a media parley held in Abuja. Abdullahi stated the establishment of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for emerging technologies, which will consolidate efforts and accelerate Nigeria’s digitization endeavors across key technological areas. With a strategic roadmap spanning from 2024 to 2027, NITDA aims to establish six emerging technology centers of excellence within universities by 2025, positioning Nigeria as a beacon of research and…
The Nigerian military has declared a notorious terrorist leader, Halilu Buzu, wanted. Buzu, originally from Buzu in the Republic of Niger, has been identified as a threat due to his involvement in various heinous acts, including illegal gold mining, cattle rustling, and arms trafficking. According to Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, Buzu has been residing in Shinkafi Local Government Area (LGA) of Zamfara State, where he operates an illegal gold mine in Kawayi, Anka LGA. His criminal activities have recently escalated, with his group allegedly responsible for the brutal killing of 19 villagers at Farar Kasa.…
Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), stated the burgeoning potential of Nigeria’s gas sector to propel business revenue growth. Speaking with the press on the sidelines of the presidential inauguration of three crucial gas infrastructures in Delta and Owerri, Kyari emphasized the important role gas plays in fostering economic prosperity. President Bola Tinubu officiated the inauguration ceremony, marking the commencement of operations for the ANOH-OB3 CTMS gas pipeline and ANOH gas processing plant in Assa, Ohaji/Egbema, Imo state. Tinubu unveiled the expansion of the AHL gas processing plant 2 gas…
Schools in England will be banned from teaching sex education and gender identity to children below nine under new government proposals due to be published Thursday. It follows concerns over the content of lessons for primary age school children, an education ministry statement said. “Parents rightly trust that when they send their children to school, they are kept safe and will not be exposed to disturbing content that is inappropriate for their age,” it quoted Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as saying. “That’s why I was horrified to hear reports of this happening in our classrooms last year,” he added.…
Fox News, a prominent conservative media outlet, has raised questions regarding the reported size of former President Donald Trump’s recent rally in New Jersey, amidst claims of potential overestimation. During Monday’s episode of “The Five,” Fox News host Jesse Watters addressed the discrepancy between Trump’s assertion of over 100,000 attendees and reports from their own correspondent on the ground. Watters stated that the reporter dispatched to the 2024 campaign rally in Wildwood estimated there were tens of thousands fewer people present than what Trump and others have claimed. Trump, known for overstating the size of his crowds at rallies and…
The Biden administration has decided to proceed with over $1 billion in weapons deals for Israel, despite recent concerns over Israel’s military operations in Rafah. This comes as the European Union intensifies its condemnation of Israel’s actions in the southern Gaza city. The decision to approve the arms deal was disclosed by anonymous U.S. officials to The Washington Post. However, it contrasts with the European Union’s stance, as its top diplomat, Josep Borrell, urged Israel to halt its military operation in Rafah immediately. Borrell warned that continued military action could strain the relationship between the E.U. and Israel significantly. Israeli…
Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Alice Albright is set to testify before the Senate Appropriation Committee’s State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee on May 15, 2024. The hearing, which aims to bolster American competitiveness, will scrutinize President Biden’s fiscal year 2025 budget request for various agencies, including the MCC. Albright, alongside other key figures such as U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) CEO Scott Nathan and President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) Reta Jo Lewis, will defend the budget requests for their respective agencies. The testimony, slated for 2 p.m., will be…
At the Multi-stakeholder National Dialogue on Preventing Terrorism Financing and Violent Extremism, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has pointed out the alarming role of illegal money exchangers in facilitating terrorism funding. Mr. Auwal Musa (RAFSANJANI), the Executive Director of CISLAC and Head of Transparency International in Nigeria, stated the global threat posed by terrorism, with Nigeria being particularly vulnerable. Musa explained the exploitation of the financial sector by terrorist groups, citing Bureau de Change operators, Point of Sale (POS) devices, wire transfers, and other financial platforms as avenues for terrorism financing. He underscored that illegal money exchangers, including…
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has sadly confirmed the passing of his Deputy Chief of Staff, Gboyega Soyannwo who passed away on Wednesday after a short battle with illness. The announcement made by Governor Sanwo-Olu came via a statement from the state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso which reads, “With deep sorrow, the Lagos State Government announces the passing of the Deputy Chief of Staff (DCoS) to Mr. Governor, Mr. Gboyega Soyannwo. “Soyannwo died today after a brief illness. He was 55. “Mr. Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on behalf of the Government and people of Lagos, sends his condolences…
The annual ‘Oro’ festival, a traditional event typically hosted in Ikorodu, Lagos State, is set to take place on May 16, 2024, with a directive issued urging all females to remain indoors during the festival proceedings scheduled to take place during both the day and night. In a letter titled ‘Notification of Magbo (Oro) Festival 2024, addressed to the Medical Director of the Ikorodu General Hospital, and signed by the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi, the letter stated that according to tradition, females are advised to stay within their homes and refrain from venturing out into the town during…
The Federal Government as called upon all labour unions to support its plans for reforming the power sector. This comes amidst the nationwide protests against the recent electricity tariff increase. The Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress have staged protests at the offices of the National Electricity Regulatory Commission and Distribution Companies across the country, expressing their discontent with the tariff increases. Addressing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, acknowledged the right of labour unions to peaceful protest while urging them to engage constructively. He emphasized that the government…