In a recent announcement posted on its Facebook page last Friday, the Abubakar Bukola Saraki Foundation proudly declared its commitment to providing complete coverage for the medical bills of the celebrated Nollywood actor, John Okafor, affectionately recognized as Mr. Ibu. This generous gesture was extended to support Mr. Ibu, a distinguished comedic figure who has graced our screens, spreading joy and laughter to countless households for over four decades. “When we learned of his recent health challenges and the financial burdens associated with his medical treatment, we felt a deep sense of responsibility to assist in any way we could.…
Author: Editor Francis
The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared a significant policy shift in the issuance of visas to foreigners seeking entry into the country. Minister of Interior, Olabunmi Tunji-Ojo, made this announcement during the “Nigeria Forward: Catalysing Funding for High Impact Social Projects” conference, organized by Business Day. The new approach, based on the principle of reciprocity, means that the fees for Nigerian visas will mirror those charged to Nigerians seeking visas to other countries. Ojo clarified that this policy aims to treat foreigners in Nigeria in a manner that aligns with how Nigerian citizens are treated abroad. This reciprocity principle…
President Bola Tinubu has officially confirmed Adewale Adeniyi as the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). Adeniyi had been serving in an acting capacity for nearly four months, following his appointment to replace Colonel Hameed Ali (rtd), the former Comptroller-General. According to a statement from Willie Bassey, the Director of Information in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Adeniyi’s appointment became effective on October 19, 2023. “His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved the confirmation of the appointment of Adewale Adeniyi (MFR) as the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service. “The…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given the green light for the phased establishment of four colleges of education to be transformed into federal universities of education. The decision also includes the approval of two federal universities of Agriculture, two federal universities of Medical and Health Sciences, and the addition of five colleges of education to the educational landscape. This announcement was conveyed in a statement issued by the Assistant Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Obialor-Dur Augustina Okechi. The move is in alignment with the current administration’s commitment to ensuring a seamless transition in…
The U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has returned to Washington following an eight-day diplomatic tour in the Middle East. During his visit, Secretary Blinken engaged in multiple high-level meetings with key officials from both the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority, as well as leaders from Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. Throughout his trip, Secretary Blinken emphasised several key points. Firstly, he reaffirmed the United States’ strong support for Israel’s right to defend itself against threats from groups like Hamas. This support was stated as unwavering. At the same time, he expressed the U.S. commitment…
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has inked a grant agreement with Ecostar Energy Côte d’Ivoire to provide essential technical assistance for the establishment of a substantial 25-megawatt cotton stalk biomass power plant in the Boundiali region of Côte d’Ivoire. Ecostar Energy Côte d’Ivoire, the driving force behind this initiative, has enlisted the expertise of Delphos International Ltd., based in Washington, D.C., to execute the assistance program. USTDA’s collaboration with Ecostar signifies a vital stride in diversifying Côte d’Ivoire’s power generation landscape by harnessing the abundant local potential of renewable resources. Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Director, highlighted the project’s…
Senator Ibikunle Amosun, the former governor of Ogun State, has called for the incorporation of more technical subjects into the secondary school educational system in Nigeria. This proposition was made during his keynote address at an event themed “You Are Whatever You Want to Be,” organized by the Holy Child College Ikoyi’s old students’ association to commemorate the set of 1969-73 students. In his speech, Senator Amosun highlighted the crucial role of two “P”s in a student’s journey to success. The first “P” stands for parents, emphasising their significant influence in students’ lives and the importance of respecting family values. …
Former Emir of Kano and ex-Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Lamido Sanusi, has proposed a long-term solution to the petrol subsidy removal crisis, emphasising the need to reduce dependence on petrol. Speaking at the Distinguished Lecture Series organised by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Lagos Sanusi stressed that while short-term measures like cash transfers could help offset the impact of subsidy removal, the ultimate solution lies in decreasing reliance on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). The lecture, themed “Resetting the Nigerian Economy for a Brighter Future,” aimed to address economic challenges in Nigeria and offer…
As part of the European Union’s Global Gateway initiative, Nigeria, alongside fellow African countries, is slated to benefit from a substantial financial package totaling €150 billion by the year 2027. This initiative is strategically designed to bolster connectivity, foster sustainable development, and fortify economic relations between the European Union and its partnering nations, with a particular focus on Nigeria. The European Union’s Global Gateway initiative will offer extensive support to Nigeria to enhance infrastructure connectivity encompassing transport, energy, and digital networks. Additionally, it will contribute to sectors like agriculture, economic growth, healthcare, and education, while promoting sustainability and environmental conservation. …
President Bola Tinubu has issued a swift directive to withdraw the nomination of Engr. Imam Kashim Imam as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA). This decision takes immediate effect, while all other appointments to the FERMA Board and Executive Management team remain unchanged. More information to come soon
NNPC Retail Ltd. has responded to the recent emergence of fuel queues in several areas of Lagos and other regions of Nigeria. These queues were attributed to a temporary reduction in Depot loadout in Apapa, Lagos, over a brief period. However, the underlying issue has been promptly resolved. The company wishes to reassure the entire Nigerian population that there exists an abundant supply of fuel, with a reserve that ensures at least a 30-day sufficiency. “We assure all Nigerians that there is ample supply with sufficiency of at least 30 days. Motorists are advised to desist from panic buying as…
Renowned Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi, has made a striking declaration, asserting that the Tinubu administration has aspirations for an extended eight-year rule, and he vehemently opposes their pursuit. In a widely circulated video, Sheikh Gumi refrained from explicitly mentioning the president’s name but left no room for doubt that he was addressing Bola Tinubu. The cleric took aim at the Muslim-Muslim ticket within the All Progressives Congress (APC), characterising it as a platform supported by insincere and untrustworthy individuals. Gumi raised allegations concerning the command and control dynamics within the defence ministry. Despite northerners holding key positions, he…