Author: Editor Francis

President Bola Tinubu has discreetly appointed Hakeem Muri-Okunola as the Principal Secretary in his office. The announcement, though not officially publicized, was confirmed by reliable sources within the Presidency. Muri-Okunola received his appointment letter on Friday and is scheduled to assume his new role on Monday. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, 51, brings a wealth of experience to his new position. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in law from Lagos State University (LASU) and a Master’s degree in International Business Law from Queen Mary & Westfield College, University of London.  Throughout his career, Muri-Okunola has served in various public administration roles and has…

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The military leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger signed a mutual defence pact on Saturday, ministerial delegations from the three Sahel countries announced in Mali’s capital, Bamako. The Liptako-Gourma Charter establishes the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), as Mali’s junta leader Assimi Goita posted on X, the social network. Its aim is to “establish an architecture of collective defence and mutual assistance for the benefit of our populations”, he wrote. The Liptako-Gourma region — where the Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger borders meet — has been ravaged by jihadism in recent years. “This alliance will be a combination of…

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In relation to the dilapidation of sections of the Third Mainland Bridge that raised the concerns of motorists over safety reasons and that the Lagos state government promised on Thursday to start fixing, the repair of the pothole-riddled sections of the bridge will be carried out on September 17 and 24.  The state had asked commuters to take alternative routes during the repair of the bridge. The Lagos state Government has postponed the plan to work on the failed section of the old bridge  The state also announced that the scheduled traffic division arrangement for the bridge has been postponed.…

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The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which is responsible for harnessing Nigeria’s oil and gas reserves for sustainable national development, has made some key changes in its department. In the press release made available on X, the Oil company said it is committed to organisational renewal, excellence, and competency development. In line with these objectives, the company has made several executive appointments with immediate effect: Oritsemeyiwa A. Eyesan is appointed Executive Vice President, Upstream. Olalekan Ogunleye is appointed Executive Vice President, Gas, Power, and New Energy. Adedapo A. Segun is appointed Executive Vice President, Downstream.

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The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed its keen interest in collaborating with Spain and other nations worldwide, to harness the nation’s vast sporting potential for socio-economic development. Senator John Owan Enoh, the Honourable Minister of Sports Development, made this announcement during a meeting with the Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Juan Ignacio Sell, held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja. Enoh highlighted Spain’s renowned status in the world of sports, particularly its prestigious football league, La Liga. He expressed the Nigerian government’s determination to replicate such success in the country. Recognizing the power of sports diplomacy…

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Following growing public concerns and a preliminary police review, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Idowu Owohunwa, has ordered a comprehensive criminal investigation into the death of Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, also known as Mohbad. A Special Investigation Team within the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), has been constituted to lead this effort. The team, comprising experienced homicide detectives, is tasked with gathering information and conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death. The investigation aims to establish facts, dispel doubts, and ensure justice is served. It will employ various protocols, including…

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President Bola Tinubu will be joined by a delegation of six Governors, seven ministers, and several senior aides as he embarks on his first visit to the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), in New York, USA.  The delegation will accompany President Tinubu, and his schedule for the UNGA includes various engagements, sideline activities, and bilateral meetings. This marks a significant international diplomatic engagement for the President. “President Tinubu will be accompanied by Governors Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State; Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State; Hope Uzodinma of Imo State; Uba Sani of Kaduna State; AbdulRahman AbdulRazak of Kwara…

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Prominent Nigerian playwright and critic, Professor Wole Soyinka, has shared his views on the 2023 Nigerian elections in a statement released from South Africa. In his statement, titled “The Cape Town Re-Entry,” Soyinka reflects on the recent electoral process and its outcomes. Soyinka begins by challenging the common perception of the Nigerian elections as an adversarial contest, suggesting that the ballot tally revealed the consequences of a political party’s internal division, particularly close to an election. He characterises the elections as a “Feast of Voluntary donations of the spoils of war,” highlighting how political rivalries within the same party can…

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Some disgruntled senators are reportedly orchestrating a plot to impeach the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, during the Senate’s resumption on September 26, 2023. These senators, driven by their discontent, are not only aiming to remove Senator Akpabio but also intend to make the Senate leadership less favorable to the presidency, thereby creating an uneasy situation for the President. The disaffected senators, led by two former North West governors, are motivated by Senator Akpabio’s recent statement about “prayers being sent to their mailboxes for celebrations.” They view this as an opportunity to take action against him. “All of these are…

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The United Kingdom has declared an increase in the fees for student and tourist visas. In an announcement by the UK’s Home Office on Friday, the adjustments in visa costs were outlined to provide additional financial support for the public sector. Starting soon, the cost of a visit visa for stays of fewer than 6 months will see a substantial increase, rising from £15 to £115. Similarly, the fee for a student visa will surge from £127 to £490. The Home Office emphasised that these fee hikes are intended to allow the government to allocate more resources to the public…

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Netnajia, a well-known movie download platform, has declared its decision to discontinue its movie-related services to the public. The announcement was made via a statement on the platform’s website on Saturday, signaling a shift in its business focus. The platform’s statement expressed the journey it had taken, starting as a personal hobby and evolving into a comprehensive archive for movie enthusiasts, ultimately becoming a fan favorite. Regrettably, the statement conveyed the platform’s decision to bid farewell to its movie offerings. The statement read, “It was quite a ride while it lasted. It breaks our hearts to break the hearts of…

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Kenya’s President, William Ruto, has extended an invitation to leading U.S. technology companies and investors, promoting investment opportunities in his country while emphasising a business-friendly environment, despite recent tax controversies. Addressing the tech industry leaders in San Francisco, President Ruto highlighted Kenya’s strategic priorities and outlined measures taken to attract foreign investments. He assured potential investors that Kenya’s tax code is designed for stability, simplicity, consistency, fairness, and predictability, with no anticipated changes for the next three years. President Ruto outlined several initiatives to encourage investment, including the elimination of value-added tax on exported services, the removal of taxes on…

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