The Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ekom Ayambem, was impeached on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, following allegations of fund misappropriation. Ayambem, who represents the Ikom 2 State Constituency, was removed from his position by 17 members of the House. The impeachment motion was initiated by Hon. Effiom Ekarika, representing the Calabar South 1 Constituency, and seconded by Hon. Omang Charles Omang of the Bekwarra State Constituency. Ayambem had been serving as the speaker since his election in June 2023.
Author: Editor Francis
Professor Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, has issued a warning to Nigerians about the dangers of excessive salt and sodium consumption, highlighting its potential to cause hypertension and other heart diseases. This announcement was made at a news conference in Abuja to mark the 2024 Salt Awareness Week, themed “It’s Time to Shine the Spotlight on Salt.” Represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ms. Daju Kachollom, Pate emphasized the Federal Government’s commitment to raising public awareness about the health risks associated with high salt intake. He noted that excessive sodium consumption is responsible for at…
A health worker, Umar Mohammed, was fatally stabbed in the head by hoodlums during a wedding ceremony in Minna, Niger State. The incident, which highlights the ongoing struggle of security agents against rising violence in the state, occurred last Friday in the Gbegenu area of Minna. According to an eyewitness, Haruna Aminu, Mohammed was returning from his job at a private clinic when he decided to attend the wedding. Shortly after his arrival, a group of over ten armed hoodlums began causing chaos at the event. “I saw when Umar came there. He was returning from the private clinic where…
The latest increase in Nigeria’s benchmark interest rate by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has sparked significant concern among members of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) and economists. They warn that the decision could severely impact economic operators’ ability to repay their loans. Following the MPC’s 295th meeting, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor and MPC Chairman, Olayemi Cardoso, announced a hike in the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by 150 basis points, raising it to 26.25% from 24.74%. This marks the third consecutive increase in the benchmark interest rate this year, totaling a 750 basis point rise since February. Cardoso…
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Calabar chapter, has expressed concerns over the number of students dropping out of school in the country. The chapter’s chairman, Peter Ubi, spoke in an interview on Tuesday in Calabar about the achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s first year in office. He said that a large number of students have dropped out of school in the past year due to the country’s harsh economic conditions. “More students are dropping out of school following the cost of acquiring education,” said Mr Ubi. “The dropout challenge is affecting all levels of education; many…
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a two-month ultimatum to the Federal Government to fulfill all its outstanding demands. Failure to do so will result in the union resorting to all legitimate means, including invoking a ‘no pay, no work’ policy, to enforce compliance. During a press conference held by the Lagos State Zone of ASUU at the University of Lagos, Zonal Coordinator Adelaja Odukoya warned that Nigeria is on the brink of collapse. He emphasised that despite numerous promises, the government has repeatedly failed to honour its commitments to the union. These unfulfilled promises include the…
The ongoing negotiations on a new minimum wage have been adjourned until Wednesday after organized labour rejected the Federal Government’s revised offer of N54,000. This development comes after a meeting on Tuesday, following a previous walkout by labour members over an initial proposal of N48,000. Sources confirm that the Federal Government increased its offer from N48,000 to N54,000 in Tuesday’s meeting. Despite this, labour representatives deemed the offer insufficient, maintaining their demand for a N615,000 living wage. A labour leader, who requested anonymity, criticised the government’s lack of commitment, noting the absence of state governors and the limited mandates of…
Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in last year’s general elections, visited the party’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday. Obi was welcomed by the party’s national chairman, Julius Abure, along with other party leaders. This visit marks a significant shift for the former Anambra State governor, who had previously avoided the party’s controversial national convention held in his home state due to internal leadership disputes. During his visit, Obi endorsed the newly elected National Working Committee (NWC) led by Abure. He called on party members to prioritize the welfare of Nigerians over individual interests, emphasizing the importance of…
The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘B’ of the Nigeria Customs Service, has made a significant seizure of contraband goods, including 750 sacks of donkey bones and 860 sacks of dried donkey meat, with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of approximately Three Billion Naira. Additionally, the unit confiscated illicit drugs, comprising 58,740 sachets of Tramadol and 48,000 ampules of Analgin injection, concealed within vehicle spare parts, valued at One Hundred and Sixty-Seven Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira. The items were paraded at the FOU Zone ‘B’ Headquarters in Kaduna on Tuesday, May 21, by Comptroller Ahmadu Bello Shuaibu, who…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has increased interest rates by 150 basis points, bringing the rate to 26.25% from the previous 24.75% set in March. This move aims to address the country’s rising inflation. CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso announced the decision during the 295th Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday. He explained that the rate hike is a measure to curb Nigeria’s soaring headline inflation, which surged to 33.69% in April. The CBN has been consistently tightening monetary policies to manage inflation. This 295th MPC meeting marks the third under Cardoso’s leadership, following his appointment…
Ivory Coast, the world’s leading cocoa producer, has overtaken South Africa to become the best-rated sovereign in sub-Saharan Africa with outstanding foreign debt. S&P Global Ratings affirmed both countries at BB- on Friday, but Ivory Coast’s outlook was upgraded to positive, while South Africa’s outlook remained stable. The yield on Ivory Coast’s debt maturing in 2028 dropped 13 basis points to 7.09% as of 12 p.m. in London on Monday, marking its lowest level since April 15. In contrast, South Africa’s dollar debt due in 2030 was trading at a yield of 6.9%, down from over 8.5% as recently as…
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has called on the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to postpone scheduled examinations on May 30, a day recognised as ‘Biafra Day’ in the Southeast. IPOB has also requested that Nnamdi Azikiwe University reschedule its convocation planned for the same date. Emma Powerful, IPOB’s spokesman, explained that a sit-at-home protest would be held on May 30 to commemorate Biafra Day, making it unsafe for any activities in the region. In an open letter addressed to the WAEC Board and UNIZIK Vice Chancellor, Professor Charles Okechukwu Esimone, Powerful emphasized the importance of the day for…