Author: Olukayode Oke

ACF Pledges Support For Northern Candidates In 2027 Elections. The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), a prominent northern socio-cultural organisation, has declared its intention to back northern candidates in the 2027 elections as part of efforts to address the region’s challenges. Speaking during the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the ACF Secretariat in Kaduna, the group’s chairman, Mamman Mike Osuman, stressed the urgency of rescuing the North from its current socio-economic and security crises. Osuman criticised the policies of the current administration, describing them as detrimental to the region’s interests. He called for individual and collective action to…

FG, States, And Local Councils Share N1.411 Trillion For October. The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has disbursed a total of N1.411 trillion among the three tiers of government for October 2024. The announcement was made during FAAC’s November meeting, chaired by the Accountant General of the Federation, Dr. Mrs Oluwatoyin S. Madein, in Bauchi. According to a statement from Mohammed Manga, Director of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Finance, the allocation came from a gross revenue of N2.668 trillion. This amount included Gross Statutory Revenue, Value Added Tax (VAT), Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL),…

ICPC Begins Tracking Of N610 Billion Projects Across Kwara, FCT, And 20 States. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has launched the 7th phase of its Constituency and Executive Project Tracking Exercise, aimed at ensuring accountability and transparency in the execution of government-funded projects. According to a statement by ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare, this phase of the exercise began on Monday, 18 November 2024, and will cover 1,500 projects valued at N610 billion. The tracking spans 22 states across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, including Kwara, Niger, Kogi, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kebbi, Kano, Kaduna,…

Lakurawa Militants Kill Five Over Failed Marriage Proposal In Niger Republic. Suspected members of the Lakurawa terror group have reportedly killed five villagers in Gueza, a settlement in the Dosso region of Niger Republic, in a retaliatory attack linked to a failed marriage proposal. According to Zagazola Makama, a counterinsurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, the violence began when militants strangled five individuals to death in the first phase of the attack. The killings were allegedly sparked by a personal dispute involving a Lakurawa leader. The publication reported that tensions arose after the village chief’s representative…

INEC Presents Certificate Of Return To Governor Aiyedatiwa And Deputy. In a ceremonial event at the National Headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday, Professor Kunle Ajayi, the INEC National Commissioner for Ondo, Ogun, and Osun States, presented the Certificate of Return to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his Deputy, Dr Olayide Adelami. The ceremony marks the official conclusion of the governorship election process in Ondo State, following the election held on 16 November 2024. Professor Ajayi underscored the significance of the occasion, describing it as the culmination of a democratic process reflecting the will of…

Bill For Diaspora Voting Passes Second Reading In Nigeria’s House Of Representatives. A landmark bill seeking to amend the Nigerian constitution and grant citizens in the diaspora the right to vote during elections has successfully passed its second reading in the House of Representatives. The bill, which has been lauded as a significant step towards inclusive democracy, aims to extend voting rights to millions of Nigerians living abroad. Advocates argue that this move would ensure all citizens have a say in shaping the nation’s future, irrespective of their location. During the session, members of the House deliberated on…

NSCDC Operatives Repel Boko Haram Ambush, Neutralise Over 50 Insurgents. A monitoring team of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) tasked with safeguarding National Grid installations in Shiroro Local Government Area, Niger State, successfully repelled a deadly ambush by Boko Haram insurgents. The operatives demonstrated exceptional courage and neutralised over 50 terrorists during the fierce encounter. The attack occurred on Monday at approximately 3:40 p.m. in the Farin-Kasa area of Chukun Local Government Area, Kaduna State. The NSCDC team, consisting of nine officers and 71 other ranks from various commands, was ambushed while returning from a surveillance…

Barcelona Secure Double Signing of African Talents Ibrahim Diarra And Arouna Traoré. Barcelona have successfully finalised the signing of two promising young talents from Mali: Ibrahim ‘Kaka’ Diarra, who turns 18 next month, and Arouna Traoré, aged 17. Both players have been recruited from Academie Africa Foot and will join Barça Academy, continuing the club’s tradition of nurturing young talent. The deal represents Barcelona’s commitment to scouting and developing footballers with exceptional potential. The two players are expected to enhance their skills within the academy’s renowned training programme, which has produced world-class players over the years. Both Diarra…

US, Spain, Greece And Italy Closes Embassy In Kyiv Amid Air Raid Alerts And Missile Threats. The United States Embassy in Kyiv has temporarily closed following intelligence indicating a “potential significant air attack” on 20 November. Italy, Greece, and Spain have also closed their embassies in Ukraine’s capital, while the United Kingdom has kept its embassy operational, according to the Foreign Office. Hours after the US announcement, an air raid alert was declared in Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine. The Ukrainian air force described the situation as a missile threat, urging citizens to remain vigilant. The head of…

Tinubu Dissolves UNIZIK Governing Council Amid Vice-Chancellor Appointment Controversy. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK), following controversies surrounding the appointment of Bernard Odoh as the institution’s vice-chancellor. The decision comes after significant backlash and allegations of irregularities in the process that led to Odoh’s emergence as the seventh substantive vice-chancellor on 29 October. Reports claim that Odoh’s academic profile and the selection process faced widespread criticism, including accusations from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other university associations. One contentious issue involved Odoh’s claim…

Okupe Praises Tinubu’s Policy Document As Superior To Rivals’. Doyin Okupe, former Director-General of the Labour Party’s presidential campaign, has commended President Bola Tinubu’s policy framework, describing it as the most credible among the 2023 presidential candidates. Speaking on Tuesday during a review of Tinubu’s administration, Okupe highlighted the president’s methodical approach to implementing his “Renewed Hope Agenda.” According to Okupe, Tinubu’s policy document offered a pragmatic and well-defined roadmap compared to the plans presented by his opponents, Peter Obi of the Labour Party and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He praised Tinubu for his focus…

US Approves Landmine Use For Ukraine As Aid Intensifies Amid Russian Advances. The United States has approved the provision of anti-personnel landmines to Ukraine, a senior defence official has confirmed. This move is part of an increased effort to assist Ukraine in slowing Russian advances across the eastern frontlines. Ukraine has pledged to deploy mines responsibly, ensuring they remain active for a limited duration and are not used in densely populated areas. The decision follows Ukraine’s earlier use of US-supplied long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to strike Russian targets, a move that drew sharp warnings from Moscow. Russia…