Prof Dani Adam, the Independent National Electoral Commissioner overseeing Kogi, Kwara, and Niger states, declared the concluded Kogi State governorship election as not only free and fair but also credible. The announcement was made during the Certificate of Return presentation to Governor-elect Ahmed Ododo and his deputy, Joel Oyibo, at the INEC state head office in Lokoja. Adam emphasized the abundance of evidence supporting the fairness and credibility of the election, urging all contestants to embrace sportsmanship and collaborate for the benefit of democracy in the region. Kogi State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Gabriel Longpet, echoed the sentiment, stating that…
Author: Editor Francis
President Bola Tinubu has officially scrapped the controversial automatic deduction of 40 percent from federal universities’ Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). The Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, conveyed this pivotal announcement during his address at the 75th Founder’s Day ceremony of the University of Ibadan (UI) on Friday, November 17. The original proposal, disclosed by the Ministry of Finance in October, triggered a diverse range of reactions, notably from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and various stakeholders. ASUU’s national president, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, vehemently argued that universities should not be treated as revenue-generating entities, emphasizing that student fees are…
President Bola Tinubu is set to depart Abuja for Berlin, Germany, on Saturday to attend the G20 Compact with Africa Conference on November 20, 2023. The conference, hosted by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, will run alongside the Fourth G20 Investment Summit, co-hosted by the German government and business associations. A statement from Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, outlined the focus of the conference as energy, trade, and investment. The President, along with Heads of State and Governments from Compact with Africa (CwA) member countries, bilateral partners, and international organizations, will deliberate on measures to enhance economic…
In a stakeholders’ meeting with the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, the Association of Licenced Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) expressed concerns about the current tariff regime in the telecom sector, stating that it is no longer sustainable. ALTON Chairman, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, emphasised the need for a price review to align with rising operating costs, citing the burden of 52 taxes on operators nationwide. Adebayo urged the NCC EVC to intervene in the unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) debts owed by Deposit Money Banks (DMBs), revealing that the outstanding debt has…
In a circular addressed to students admitted to the Law School for the 2023/2024 session, the Nigerian Law School has reportedly raised its tuition fees to N476,000. The circular, signed by the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Isah Chiroma, revealed this substantial increase, marking almost a 200 per cent surge from the previous fee of approximately N296,000. The decision to raise tuition fees in this economic climate has raised eyebrows, considering the ongoing struggles of millions of Nigerians facing increasing poverty due to rising prices of goods and services. The circular also has fueled discussions about the financial implications…
Engineer Seyi Makinde, the Governor of Oyo State, emphasized the importance of fostering a system that benefits all Nigerians, irrespective of tribe or religion. Speaking at the 12th annual Zik Lecture held at Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State, Makinde urged citizens to focus on building a united and fair nation rather than contemplating separation based on regional differences. Addressing the audience during the lecture themed “Reclaiming Zik’s World: Climate Justice and African Sustainable Development,” Makinde rejected the idea of splitting the country, saying that the focus should be on uniting Nigeria and, by extension, Africa. He emphasized the…
The Chief Executive Officer of The Hague Institute for Innovative Law (HiiL), Sam Muller, expressed regret over the diminishing respect for the rule of law and justice in Nigeria and other global regions. This concern was disclosed during the presentation of the 2023 report on justice needs and satisfaction in Nigeria. Muller emphasized that the decline in the rule of law, as also noted in the World Justice Project’s 2023 report, is disheartening for those striving to build nations where peace and justice prevail. Despite the somber observation, he acknowledged a positive shift in the last five years towards a…
Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, revealed plans to revolutionise passport processing for Nigerians, both at home and abroad. The minister expressed his commitment to creating additional processing and collection centres, specifically tailored for Nigerians in the Diaspora. This strategic move aims to alleviate congestion at existing centres and expedite service operations. The promising news was delivered during the recently concluded sixth edition of the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit, organized by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and the Nigeria Diaspora Summit Initiative (NDSI) in Abuja. Speaking at the summit with theme “New Vistas, New Aspirations, New Opportunities: The…
In a bid to expedite the ongoing construction on Adekunle Ramp, all traffic, both inward and outward, will be temporarily halted from Sunday, November 19th, to December 8th, 2023. This closure, spanning a five-week period, is aimed at completing the project promptly. Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation Made this known During this period, motorists are advised to consider alternative routes: Lagos Island to Ebute Metta: Utilise Ilubirin to connect Carter Bridge (Idumota Bridge), leading to Iddo, and then proceed inwards to Otto/Oyingbo via Herbert Macaulay Way. Victoria Island Traffic: Follow the route from Bonny Camp to Onikan…
The Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as the Amotekun Corps, has successfully apprehended 55 individuals allegedly involved in a range of criminal activities across the state. The suspects were paraded at the corps headquarters in Akure on Thursday, as announced by Adetunji Adeleye, the state Commander of the Corps. Commander Adeleye revealed that the arrests took place at different locations within the state and included individuals accused of offenses such as arson, stealing, kidnapping, and robbery. The crackdown is part of the corps’ efforts to ensure a crime-free yuletide season, prompting the commencement of a 24-hour operation and…
In a joint statement released by the Governments of the United States of America, the Italian Republic, the Kingdom of Morocco, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh/ISIS Africa Focus Group, underscored its commitment to tackling the persistent threat posed by ISIS affiliates in West Africa. The statement follows the group’s meeting on November 15 in Cotonou, Benin. Key Points: Collaborative Mechanism: The Africa Focus Group, co-chaired by Italy, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and the United States, convened in response to an invitation from the Republic of Benin. This collaborative mechanism aims to coordinate civilian-focused counterterrorism…
In a noteworthy development, following the meeting between President Xi Jinping and President Joseph R. Biden in Bali, Indonesia, the United States and China have reiterated their pledge to collaboratively address the global climate crisis. U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry and China Special Envoy for Climate Change Xie Zhenhua conducted discussions in Beijing from July 16 to 19, 2023, and further deliberated at Sunnylands, California, from November 4 to 7, 2023. Key outcomes and commitments arising from these discussions include: 1. Both nations recall and commit to advancing the effective implementation of the April 2021 U.S.-China Joint…