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 Scarcity of passports affecting over 1.5 million Nigerians in Italy --- NIDOE  The Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe (NIDOE), Italy Chapter, Engr George Omo-Iduhon on Thursday claimed that over 1.5 million out of 3 million registered in Italy had been affected with the acute shortage of Nigerian passport. Engr George Omo-Iduhon made the claim in an interview while reflecting on the activities of the NIDOE in the Europe and Italy. NIDOE is the European arm of a global Nigerian Diaspora network established in the year 2000 by the former President Olusegun Obasanjo and has its headquarters in London where it serves its 21 regional Chapters. NIDOE is recognised as official platform through which individual Nigerian Diaspora, their community, organisation and corporate bodies can channel their development efforts in Nigeria.  The organisation partners with Nigerian community/professional organisation as well as public and private businesses in focused area...

 PRESIDENT BUHARI MOURNS ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU   On behalf of government and people of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari condoles with President Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africans and the global Christian body, particularly Anglican Communion, over passing of Archbishop Emeritus, Desmond Tutu, 90, on Sunday, December 26, 2021. President Buhari believes the death of the iconic teacher, human rights activist, leader of thought, scholar and philanthropist, further creates a void in a world in dire need of wisdom, integrity, courage and sound reasoning, which were qualities that the Nobel Peace Prize Winner, 1984, typified and exemplified in words and actions. As a South African, global citizen and renowned world leader, the President affirms that the historic role Archbishop Tutu played in the fight against apartheid, enduring physical assaults, jail terms and prolonged exile, took him beyond the pulpit to global, political relevance, and his position, under President Nelson Man...

TROOPS ARREST NOTORIOUS IPOB/ESN LEADER, RECOVER ARM, AMMO IN ENUGU Troops of 82 Division Nigerian Army(NA) in conjunction with other security agencies while conducting Exercise GOLDEN DAWN have arrested  one Godwin Nnamdi, a  notorious leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) and Eastern Security Network(ESN) in Nkanu East Local Government Area. The  IPOB leader was arrested during joint clearance operations at a camp suspected to be the fortress of IPOB/ESN elements located at Akpowfu Forest in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, on Saturday 25 December 2021.   During the clearance operation,  troops engaged the dissidents in a fire fight compelling them to take to their heels, leading to the arrest of their leader.  Troops recovered various items including one AK 47 rifle, one magazine containing 21 rounds of 7. 62 mm Special,  one handset amongst others.  The Chief of Army Staff(COAS), Lieutenant General Far...

PRESS RELEASE Minister of Information and Culture Does Not Have Covid-19 The attention of the office of the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has been drawn to a report making the rounds that he has contracted the Covid-19 virus and that he is now in isolation, where he is receiving treatment. For the record, the Minister does not have #Covid19, hence he is neither in isolation nor receiving treatment anywhere. That report, which was first published by an online newspaper and then latched on to by some mainstream lapdog media, once again highlights the uphill task we face in our campaign to stamp out #fakenews and misinformation. A journalism mantra says 'when in doubt, leave it out'. Also embedded in the code of ethics for journalists are the basic principles of truthfulness and accuracy, among others. The report in question did not meet those standards. The Minister was at the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, an extraordinary ...

Christmas: NDLEA seizes 8.3million Tramadol caps, 56,782 bottles of Codeine in Lagos . Intercepts Heroin at airport; arrests young lady attempting to smuggle Cocaine concealed in cooked food for boyfriend in Agencys custody Desperate bids by drug cartels to push out millions of illicit drug tablets across Lagos and other parts of the country for the festive season have been frustrated by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, with the seizure of 8,381,600 capsules and tablets of Tramadol as well as 56,782 bottles of codeine among others in major raids in Lagos state. Ahead of Christmas, the Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) had ordered a sustained surveillance on some targets at Satellite town and Alaba Rago areas of Lagos. The Satellite town target was eventually raided on Thursday 23rd December, when the drug kingpin, Ezekiel Ibe was arrested and over five tons of high milligrams Tramadol; 225mg and 100mg recovered from his warehouse. A breakdow...

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has urged Nigerians to stop blaming the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), for all the challenges witnessed in the country. Amaechi, who is a former Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, said this on a Channels Television’s programme titled, ‘Hard Copy’, monitored by The PUNCH. The minister argued that Buhari was being blamed for even things that didn’t concern him. “The point is we all blame the government. Like the President would say, if tomorrow you are unable to get pregnant, you will blame Buhari,” he said.

 Don't lose hope, be prayerful, Abiodun urges Nigerians at Xmas   Nigerians have been called upon not to lose hope but be prayerful as the current challenges facing the nation would soon be a thing of the past. The Ogun state governor,  Dapo Abiodun made the call in his Christmas message at a church service held at the St. James' Anglican Church, Iperu-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area, on Saturday. He noted that the country's present challenges were surmountable, but only needed the prayers of the citizens. "God has kept us alive despite the ragging COVID-19 pandemic. We should continue to celebrate and be thankful despite our challenges. It will make us resolve to press forward in the new year. "Please let us be prayerful; all hope is not lost. Yes, the country is going through challenges in the areas of kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and the likes. With God nothing shall be impossible. "Don't allow Christmas to end today, tomorrow or next week. Keep ...

December 26, 2021 Press Statement PDP Consoles Kwankwaso On Brother’s Death  The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) consoles former Governor of Kano state, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, on the death of his immediate younger brother, Inuwa Musa Kwankwaso. The PDP is saddened by the death of Inuwa Kwankwaso, a humble and very patriotic Nigerian, who remained committed to the service of our dear fatherland to the end.  Inuwa was a dedicated civil servant and resourceful agricultural engineer who made enormous sacrifices towards the development of the agricultural sector in our country. The PDP recalls his contributions to agricultural research, food production, environmental protection and afforestation efforts in our country, particularly the Afforestation Project in Kano state. It is indeed heartbreaking that this great Nigerian left the stage at the time his wealth of experience and commitment to service are needed the most. Inuwa’s selflessness and unwavering commitment to duty c...

 Many Feared Dead, Several Injured In Agulu Lake Auto Crash Many persons were burnt beyond recognition with several others injured in a fatal auto crash that occurred at Agulu Lake Bridge. The accident which occurred this evening, Sunday, December 26th, 2021 involved a truck, a shuttle and a Mitsubishi bus. An eyewitness, Micheal Anochie told Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) that the accident occurred when a Mack Truck loaded with chippings tried to manoeuvre the truck when it lost control and hit the Mitsubishi bus from the rear and then hit the shuttle coming from the other lane. He said almost all the passengers on board were burnt beyond recognition. When ABS arrived the scene, it was observed that fire fighters from the State fire service were at the scene battling to quench the fire, but the two buses  and passengers on board have been burnt beyond recognition. Officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps quickly moved the injured persons to a nearby hospital. As at the ...

Published 26 December 2021 “I am joined by the whole Royal Family in being deeply saddened by the news of the death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a man who tirelessly championed human rights in South Africa and across the world.   "I remember with fondness my meetings with him and his great warmth and humour.   "Archbishop Tutu’s loss will be felt by the people of South Africa, and by so many people in Great Britain, Northern Ireland and across the Commonwealth, where he was held in such high affection and esteem.”   ELIZABETH R

Rest in peace Archbishop Desmond Tutu By Archbishop Justin Welby (Archbishop of Canterbury) The death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu (always known as Arch) is news that we receive with profound sadness – but also with profound gratitude as we reflect upon his life. My prayers and condolences are with his family and all who loved him, with the Anglican Church of the Province of Southern Africa, and all of the people of South Africa.  Arch’s love transformed the lives of politicians and priests, township dwellers and world leaders. The world is different because of this man. Archbishop Tutu was a prophet and priest, a man of words and action, one who embodied the hope and joy that were the foundations of his life. He was a man of extraordinary personal courage and bravery: when the police burst into Capetown Cathedral, he defied them by dancing down the aisle. He was a man of enormous vision: seeing the possibilities for building the Rainbow Nation long before anyone else, except perhaps...