In anticipation of Saturday’s local government election in Oyo State, the government has announced strict movement restrictions. The aim is to facilitate the smooth conduct of the polls by the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC). According to a statement from the state government’s verified handle, the restriction will be in effect from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday, April 27, 2024. This restriction applies to all forms of movement within the state. The election will encompass voting for councillorship and chairmanship positions across the 33 local government areas of the state. Polling will take place between 8:00 am…
Author: Editor Francis
President Bola Tinubu has officially appointed esteemed banker and entrepreneur, Jim Ovia, as the Chairman of the Board for the Nigerian Education Loan Fund. The announcement came through a State House press release titled, “President Tinubu Designates Jim Ovia as Chairman of Nigerian Education Loan Fund,” issued on Friday by Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity. In the statement, it was highlighted that Ovia, renowned for founding one of Nigeria’s leading banks, brings a wealth of experience and a track record of supporting and empowering young Nigerians. With his educational background, including a degree…
Another tragedy strikes the Nigerian movie industry as veteran Yoruba actor Ganiyu Oyeyemi, widely known as Ogunjimi, has passed away. The heartbreaking news surfaced on social media on Friday, leaving fans and colleagues in mourning. The demise of Ogunjimi was confirmed by fellow Yoruba actor Kunle Afod, who took to his Instagram page to share the sad news. Afod expressed his condolences, stating, “We tried our best but God loves you more. May his soul rest in peace. Baba Ogunjinmi, RIP, Sun re oooo.” As of now, the cause of Ogunjimi’s death remains undisclosed, adding to the sorrow surrounding his…
On the sidelines of the ongoing Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in Kazakhstan, the defense ministers of China and Iran have forged closer ties. Brigadier General Mohammed-Reza Astiani of Iran emphasised the necessity of enhanced cooperation to address regional and global security challenges following discussions with China’s Admiral Dong Jun in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. Iran, facing international isolation due to its nuclear activities and support for non-state militant groups in the Middle East, has sought to bolster its alliances with countries like Russia and China. Tehran’s efforts to broaden its partnerships saw it joining the SCO in July…
Burkina Faso suspended the BBC and Voice of America radio stations for their coverage of a report by Human Rights Watch on a mass killing of civilians carried out by the country’s armed forces. Burkina Faso’s communication spokesperson, Tonssira Myrian Corine Sanou, said late that Thursday that both radio stations would be suspended for two weeks, and warned other media networks to avoid reporting on the story. According to the report published by Human Rights Watch on Thursday, the army killed some 223 civilians, including 56 children, in villages accused of cooperating with militants. The report was widely covered by…
Kenya is experiencing heavy rain that has disrupted normal business across the country, resulting in the destruction of property and the loss of 44 lives so far, said Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS). According to the KRCS, the downpours have affected the life of about 60,000 people. In the Mathare slums of Nairobi, the country’s capital, residents — mostly low-income earners — found themselves stranded in their homes due to severe flooding on Wednesday following an overnight rainstorm. As a result of the deluge, Kenya’s domestic railroad operations have been suspended and highways in some areas have been temporarily closed.…
The American International School of Abuja (AISA) has requested the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to provide “authentic banking details” for the refund of fees paid for the children of Yahaya Bello, the immediate-past governor of Kogi State. Bello purportedly paid $720,000 in advance as fees for five of his children from the coffers of the Kogi State Government. These children are currently enrolled in Grade Levels 2 to 8 at the school. Recent developments indicate that EFCC operatives laid siege on Bello’s residence in Abuja on April 17 in an attempt to arrest him over an alleged N80.2…
During a ceremony organised by Windek Energy Limited in Akwa Ibom State, Emmanuel Uwandu, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Gas 360, unveiled a startling statistic: more than 98,000 Nigerian women lose their lives yearly due to the use of firewood and charcoal for cooking. Uwandu emphasised that within the Niger Delta alone, approximately 21,000 women succumb annually to the harmful effects of these traditional cooking methods. In his keynote presentation at the event, Uwandu equated cooking with firewood and charcoal to smoking 20 packs of cigarettes daily, highlighting the immense health risks faced by Nigerian women on…
In a bid to enhance members’ capacity on economic development and tax reform, the House of Representatives is set to hold a two-day retreat on economic transformation and development. This initiative comes hot on the heels of a recent national dialogue on Policing. Akin Rotimi, the Spokesman of the House, announced that the retreat, slated for April 30th, will take place at the Abuja Continental Hotel (formerly Abuja Sheraton) and will be declared open by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Themed “Navigating Change: Legislative Strategies for Economic Transformation,” the retreat is a collaborative effort between the House and key stakeholders, including…
In a groundbreaking report released by Elastos, a leading open-source blockchain platform, a significant surge in Bitcoin usage among Nigerians has been uncovered. The report, unveiled on Thursday, indicates that a remarkable 20% of Nigerians, equating to at least one in five individuals, are actively engaging in Bitcoin transactions on a daily basis. This insightful analysis was derived from online interviews conducted with 1,407 self-proclaimed ‘tech savvy’ participants across seven countries, including Brazil, Germany, Nigeria, South Korea, UAE, UK, and US. The interviews, conducted by a reputable third-party market research firm, were carried out between March 30th and April 4th,…
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has issued a stern warning against what it has labeled as a “fraudulent advertisement” regarding a purported ‘Federal Study Loan.’ This caution comes in response to advertisements appearing on various news platforms directing individuals to the website www.fedstudyloan-gov.ng, claiming it to be the application portal for the eagerly anticipated student loan scheme of the Federal Government. In a statement released on Friday, Nasir Ayitogo, the Media and Public Relations Lead for NELFUND, clarified that the Fund has no affiliation with the mentioned website. Ayitogo strongly condemned any attempt to deceive students in need of…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu asserted Nigeria’s potential to fuel the world’s clean energy future with its high-grade lithium deposits during a meeting with Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Netherlands in The Hague on Thursday. Tinubu underscored his government’s dedication to fostering a conducive investment environment and pursuing mutually beneficial partnerships, particularly in the solid minerals sector. “Recognising the global landscape, there exists significant potential for collaboration, particularly in solid minerals, where Nigeria boasts high-grade lithium deposits poised to drive the world’s clean energy agenda,” Tinubu remarked. Highlighting Nigeria’s diversified opportunities beyond oil, Tinubu showcased the nation’s vibrant youth population…