In a move aimed at fostering unity and seeking divine intervention, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. of the Republic of Liberia, has designated Friday, April 12, 2024, as “National Fast and Prayer Day.” This declaration transforms the day into a national holiday, urging citizens to engage in acts of supplication, fasting, and meditation. The announcement, conveyed by the Foreign Ministry, underscores the significance of collective prayer in achieving common goals for the nation and its people. All religious denominations, regardless of creed, are encouraged to assemble in their respective places of worship from 8 a.m., dressed in simple attire, to…
Author: Editor Francis
Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has acknowledged the formidable task ahead for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in addressing the longstanding challenges of Nigeria’s power sector. In an exclusive interview with Channels Television on Thursday, Adelabu emphasised that the deep-rooted issues plaguing the sector, spanning over five decades, cannot be rectified within a mere year. Highlighting the government’s ongoing efforts, Adelabu reassured the public that progress, though gradual, is being made towards resolving these complex challenges. He underscored the necessity of consistent efforts in tackle the accumulated issues hampering the efficiency and reliability of the nation’s power supply. Adelabu’s remarks…
Heavy rains and flooding in Kenya caused more destruction in several parts of the country on Thursday. Local media reports have put the death toll from flooding in recent days at 11, with over two thousand people displaced. “We have people who have been internally displaced, who don’t have a place to call home, no roof on top of their heads, their farmlands have been submerged,” said sqid Willis Omulo, a resident of Homa Bay in the country’s west. ”We are also talking about high rates of wildlife animal conflict. Here we are talking about hippos that are marauding within…
In a recent appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, addressed the recent increase in electricity tariffs, hinting at a potential reduction under specific circumstances. Following the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) announcement on April 3, stating the removal of subsidies on electricity consumed by Band A customers, tensions arose as tariffs surged from N68/kWh to N255/kWh for this category. However, other customer bands retained their previous tariff rates. Minister Adelabu has now shed light on possible conditions for a tariff reduction, particularly emphasising the impact of the exchange rate. He stated, “The tariff is…
The Boko Haram faction, Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah, Lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād, is responsible for the reported killing of at least 27 fishermen and the abduction of three others near the Cameroon-Nigeria border. The attack occurred at Island Kofiya, close to Darak in Cameroon. Allegedly, the Buduma faction of Abou Ummaymah carried out the assault. The victims were bound and slaughtered, with three individuals taken captive over suspicions of spying for the ISWAP faction. Military forces, along with local colleagues, recovered the bodies during a subsequent search and rescue operation.
Mr. Joshua Rogers, a dedicated reporter for Channels Television, has been abducted by unidentified gunmen in Rivers State. The incident occurred around 9 PM on Thursday near his residence in Rumuosi, Port Harcourt. Rogers, driving his official Channels Television branded vehicle, was ambushed by the hoodlums, who forcibly took him away at gunpoint. Sources reveal that he was returning from an assignment at the Government House, having recently covered a government event in Andoni. Reports indicate that the gunmen have already made contact with Rogers’ wife, demanding a staggering N30 million ransom for his safe release. In a plea for…
In a move to tackle critical issues within the justice sector, the Federal Government has announced plans to convene a national policy summit on April 24th. Justice Minister Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) disclosed this during a press briefing held in Abuja yesterday. The summit, organised by the Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the National Judicial Council (NJC), aims to address pressing challenges under the theme: “Repositioning the Justice System: Constitutional, Statutory, and Operational Reforms for Access and Efficiency.” Minister Fagbemi emphasised that the summit marks a pivotal moment for ushering in positive change and…
In a recent briefing to State House Correspondents in Abuja, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, projected a stronger Naira by the first quarter of 2025. Ngelale attributed this optimism to President Tinubu’s interventions in the foreign exchange market and the full resumption of operations by refineries. Ngelale emphasized that while progress has been made in stabilizing the foreign exchange market, more efforts are needed to further strengthen the Naira. He highlighted the importance of policies aimed at sustaining this progress and ensuring fair pricing of goods and services. The anticipated revival of both public…
Tensions flare once again in Olota, a Urhobo Creek community in the Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, as the military conducts another operation in the area. This follows the recent unrest in neighbouring Okuama, where 17 military personnel were tragically killed by irate youths. Reports indicate that soldiers, in pursuit of suspects linked to the Okuama incident, descended on Olota, allegedly leaving destruction in their wake. Witnesses recount soldiers burning two houses, destroying another, and apprehending several individuals, including the community chairman, Matthew Olokpa, and nine others. According to residents, the military operation, which involved three gunboats,…
The axiom that societies advance not solely through political manoeuvring but via the formulation and implementation of robust policies stressed a fundamental truth in governance. Within this context, the saying that proficient policymakers, commonly referred to as technocrats, are pivotal to sustainable development resonates deeply. These technocrats, distinguished by their expertise and dedication to evidence-based decision-making, represent a formidable force capable of synergizing with political leadership to navigate the complex terrain of national progress. In contemplating the trajectory of Nigeria’s developmental aspirations, it becomes imperative to scrutinise the landscape of political party dynamics and the stewardship of its leadership. Regrettably,…
Lagos State Government on Thursday reiterated its resolve to demolish buildings that fail its integrity test. Gov. Babjide Sanwo-Olu reassured of the step as 14 buildings in close proximity to the two that went up in flames at Dosunmu Market on the Lagos Island on Tuesday caved in to the fire. “A lot of residential apartments have been turned into warehouses. I am saying without any iota of doubt that more buildings will go down. “I just finished the assessment of a very unfortunate, but preventable disaster. “Access was denied to the first responder to the fire for a couple…
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted sunshine and thunderstorm from Thursday to Saturday across the country. NiMet’s weather outlook, released on Wednesday in Abuja, forecasts sunny skies on Thursday with few patches of clouds over the northern region with prospects of thunderstorms over parts of Taraba during the afternoon and evening hours. According to NiMet, cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine are expected over the North central region with prospects of thunderstorms over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Kwara, Kogi and Benue. “The southern region of the country will be predominantly cloudy with chances of morning thunderstorms over…