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Lack of strategic engagements the problem of southeast development - Oriaku A stalwart of the All Progressives Congress and former Abia State Commissioner of Finance, Obinna Oriaku, has identified a lack of strategy and internal competition among leaders from southeast Nigeria as the bane of development in the geopolitical zone. He spoke on Monday while baring his mind on the outcome of the recently concluded southeast economic and security summit held in Owerri, the Imo state capital.  It was gathered that governors of southeast Nigeria had last week Thursday, converged in Owerri for a two-day summit to x-ray the challenges of insecurity and economic disruptions facing the southeast region and explore ways to end them. The summit had the five governors take turns to give their perspectives on the consequences of the escalating insecurity on the once strong and progressive economy of the region. Oriaku, while baring his mind in a statement on Tuesday, regretted the discordant tones...

Insecurity in the North: ‘I won’t cry more than bereaved again’ – Aisha Yesufu Nigerian social critic, Aisha Yesufu, has said the North did nothing when it had the chance to punish the All Progressives Congress, APC, for non-performance during the just concluded general elections. Yesufu was responding to a post by an X user who lamented that ‘Arewa’ was bleeding all through the administration of the APC. Reacting to the post on Tuesday, the social critic said “she no longer cry more than the bereaved, if the bereaved were not ready to cry”. “Arewa has people who can become active citizens. They should try it. The best place for activism is at the polling unit by the way. “Arewa was bleeding during the last 8 years of APC and APC did nothing. What did Arewa do when it had the chance to punish APC for doing nothing on February 25th 2023? “As for Aisha Yesufu, I no longer cry more than the bereaved. I cry with the bereaved and if the bereaved are not ready to cry, I don’t,” she wrote. ...

Abia Governorship Litigation: Call for Security Agents to Arrest Instigators of Terror and Insecurity in Abia. The attention of Abia state government has been drawn to videos arising from two press briefings conducted by individuals suspected to have been hired by opposition elements who were roundly defeated in the last Governorship election in Abia state. In the first press conference a group of few young men had alleged that Governor Alex Otti was using Abia Funds to sponsor the litigation of the LP Presidential candidate in the last Presidential Election, Mr. Peter Obi.  In the second press conference, another group of strange fellows alleged that the four month old Government of Dr. Alex Otti is sponsoring the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to cause terror in the state. They went further to call for  the Governorship election judgement billed for 6th October 2023 not to be delivered in Abia because the Abia state Government had allegedly concluded plans to intimidate ...

 Reps Seek Reforms In Civil Service House of Representatives has called for reforms in the Civil Service. The lawmakers made the call during a special tribute to mark the nation’s 63rd Independence anniversary. Sada Soli, lawmaker from Katsina State, noted that despite the progress the country has made, public sector governance has remained a major issue. Mr Soli said the level of “infectious corruption” in the public sector is affecting the progress of the country, yet the government has failed to address the attendant issues. “Why did I say public sector? Our civil service today is not the civil service we knew in the 1960s, where we had super-permanent secretaries that would call ministers to order,” he complained. Abdul Dasuki, a member from Sokoto State, insisted that a living wage for Nigerian workers in the “shortest possible time” must be key to any reform. Blessing Amadi from Rivers called for the implementation of the federal character principles to “promote peaceful coex...

NCDC Records Increased Cases Of Diphteria Infection The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says there is an increase in diphtheria infection. According to NCDC report on Tuesday, Nigeria has recorded 13,204 suspected cases Out of the figure, 8,406 were confirmed from 114 local government areas (LGAs) across 19 states including the Federal Capital Territory. Director General of NCDC, Ifedayo Adetifa, gave the surveillance updates at the diphtheria taskforce’s inaugural press briefing. Diptheria outbreak in Nigeria so far The NCDC DG while giving a breakdown of the diphtheria cases said confirmed cases are 8,406, while 6,202 (73.7 per cent) were aged one to 14 years. Mr Adetifa noted that with 7,188 cases, Kano State in the North-west accounted for 86 per cent of the total 8,406 confirmed cases. He said Yobe state followed on the log of infections with 775 cases, while Katsina and Borno recorded 232 and 118 cases respectively. Meanwhile, A situation report by a child’s rights orga...

Davido’s alleged baby mama Anita apologises to Chioma Davido alleged baby mama, Anita has apologised to Chioma, the legal wife of afrobeats singer.  This was after jabs and taunts Anita directed towards Chioma, during which she even called Chioma a “pity wife”. Anita also engaged in contentious behaviour after making accusations against Chioma.  A few weeks prior to her public apology, Anita posted an image of an ultrasound scan, claiming to be pregnant with Davido’s child.  However, quick-thinking Nigerians exposed her fraud by spotting that she took the ultrasound image from Google. Despite their earlier disagreements and dubious behavior, Anita reached out to Chioma with a sincere apology. In the statement, she admitted that her previous comments and actions were rooted in hurt and frustration. “l am going through a tramatic & tragic time in my life. I honestly don’t want to speak on it & don’t need to, or have to speak on it. It’s too much to bear right now. I...

TeeBillz apologises over insensitive post on MohBad Famous Music executive, Tunji Balogun aka TeeBillz has apologised for his earlier support for Zinoleesky, stating he was insensitive.   Taking to Instagram, he expressed how sorry he was for his wrong timing post as he didn’t mean to undermine anyone’s feelings or opinion. According to him, he would rather be of help than judge him based on association alongside being a product of his environment. He added that mental health played a major role in Mohbad’s last days whether one agrees with him or not and Zinoleesky is facing the same. Tee Billz also sent love to embattled singer, Solid Star, who is allegedly battling mental illness. “I’m sincerely sorry for the insensitivity of my earlier post! I don’t mean to undermine anyone’s feelings or Opinion……I just rather be of help to this young man than judge him based on association alongside being a product of his environment!!! MENTAL HEALTH played a major role in MOHBAD’s last d...

He’s married – Tunde Ednut drags ladies sending DMs to request Davido’s contact Famous blogger and entertainer Tunde Olaoluwa Adekunle, known as Tunde Ednut, has warned women constantly sliding into his direct message to ask for Davido’s phone number. He said the ladies on social media utterly disregarded Davido’s commitment to his marriage to Chioma Rowland. In a post on his official Instagram page on Monday, the blogger warned female fans to desist from such requests, noting that Davido is happily married. Expressing his annoyance, he threatened to post the picture of anyone who messages him again for the same purpose. “Let me make this known; I’m tired of ladies messaging me ‘Please, I want Davido. Just introduce me and leave everything to me’. “Shey una no get respect. He’s a married man. He’s not single. IF YOU SEND ME THAT MESSAGE AGAIN, I GO POST YOUR PICTURE,” he wrote.  

Motorists groan over bad state of Mowo-Ikoga road in Badagry Motorists plying Mowo–Ikoga Road in Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State, have expressed serious concern over the bad state of the road. In separate interviews on Tuesday in Badagry, some of the motorists said the deplorable state of the road, linking the town to Ado-Odo in Ogun, had made driving nightmarish. A NAN correspondent, who monitored the road from Mowo to Ikoga-Zebbe on Tuesday, observed many potholes on the link road. Recent downpours had worsened parts of the road such as Angel Gabriel Bridge, Iyana Ilogbo, Anospat, Alafia and Avia sections. Mr Surajudeen Babatunde, a commercial bus driver, said that road users had been facing serious hardship on the road since the beginning of the rainy season. “We have been facing serious hardship on the road ,and we need help .We are calling on the Federal Government to help repair this road. “About three months ago, the Lagos State Government did some palliative work o...

14 Arraigned For Raising Alarm Over ‘Disappearance’ Of Private Parts The Nigeria Police of Force in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has arraigned 14 suspects for claiming in the public that their private parts disappeared. The police said the claim had made irate youths to mob some people alleged to have been responsible for the disappearance while the incidents escalated in the nation’s capital. The Commissioner of Police, Haruna Garba, disclosed this at the Command’s headquarters in Abuja, while addressing journalists at a press briefing on Tuesday. Garba said the 14 men were charged because they gave the public and the police false information, adding that it took the force’s intervention to protect lives and property. BREAKING: Tinubu replaces El-Rufai, picks Balarabe Abbas as Kaduna Ministerial nominee OPPO’s Commitment to Sustainability: Enhancing Product Durability and ESG Contribution “The FCT Police Command has recorded over 10 cases of alleged disappearance of male orga...

 Teen, 14, kills two people, injures 5 in shooting spree at Bangkok’s Siam Paragon . A 14-year-old boy went on a shooting spree inside Siam Paragon shopping mall in the heart of Bangkok on Tuesday evening, killing two foreigners — a Chinese citizen and a Myanmar worker — and injuring five others. . Initially, police had reported three deaths in walkie-talkie communication but the death toll was revised down to two. One person is critically injured.  . The Chinese citizen died on the spot while the Myanmar worker succumbed to his injuries in hospital. Police have not released the names of the victims. Watch video below. 

Naira Marley Arrives Lagos To Assist In MohBad's Death Probe Singer Azeez Fashola, aka Naira Marley, has arrived in Lagos to assist in the ongoing probe of the death of his former signee, Ilerioluwa Aloba aka MohBad. The singer revealed this in a tweet on Tuesday, adding that he'd also be meeting with the police. He wrote, "I’d like to share that I’ve just arrived back in Lagos, Nigeria to assist the authorities with the ongoing investigation. It’s important I do my part for Imole.  "I’ll be meeting with the police with hopes for the truth to be uncovered and for justice to prevail." MohBad died on September 12 at age 27.  

 Extortion: Police probe officers over N80m allegedly shared with IGP, CP Nigeria Police Force says the Monitoring Unit of the Inspector-General of Police has commenced an investigation following a petition by a Delta State-based rights advocate, Israel Joe, over alleged extortion of N80 million from a surveillance contractor, Atubi Davison, by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department, and two other officers simply identified as Emmanuel and Uche.   Police said it is currently interrogating the policemen who, according to the petitioner, claimed that they would give the sum of N30 million to IGP Egbetokun, and N16 million to the Rivers State CP, Polycarp Abonyi, out of the booty. The petitioner further alleged that the policemen also collected a gold necklace from Davidson worth N4 million. Police high command had earlier denied the allegations while noting that the NPF views the allegations with utmost seriousness and is fu...

‘Game over for Atiku’ – Keyamo speaks on Tinubu’s academic records The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, says latest events have shown that the game is over for Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. Keyamo said losing the 2023 presidential election hurts Atiku more than previous polls. He said Atiku should retire from politics following the release of President Bola Tinubu’s academic records by the Chicago State University. In a post on X, the minister said Atiku was holding onto every single straw that resembles a lifeline. Keyamo noted that Chicago State University had confirmed Tinubu attended the institution. “It is now obvious that the loss of ATIKU Abubakar at the last polls hurt him deeply more than all his previous losses put together; it has since sent him spinning like a drunkard, lashing out to hold on to every single straw that resembles a lifeline. “This is bad for his health; he should accept that this game is ...

Babies Born With Teeth Normal, Not Related To Witchcraft — Paediatrician  A paediatric dentist at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Dr. Osarugue Ota, says babies born with teeth or who grow teeth within 30 days of birth are normal and not related to witchcraft. She said that such occurrences are entirely normal and have no connections to witchcraft in an online training session for journalists on Tuesday. According to Ota, there are two categories: natal teeth, which are present when a baby is born, and neonatal teeth, which emerge within the first 30 days after birth. These teeth usually appear around the age of six months but may emerge earlier for various reasons. She said, “This situation is not common; that is why it could be scary for most parents. “The society also frowns upon it, and some say the parents brought the child from the witchcraft kingdom. “Our role as paediatric dentists will be to counsel the mother and even the entire family of such a baby about these...

Mohbad’s father speaks on conducting DNA test on grandson Mr. Joseph Aloba, father of late Nigerian singer, Mohbad has shared his opinion on conducting a DNA test on his grandson. This is coming amid the paternity of Mohbad’s son sparking a debate on social media. During an interview with BBC Pidgin, Mohbad’s dad said he regarded his son as a buddy and that the two of them interacted like brothers. He claimed that the controversy surrounding a DNA test on Mohbad's son has spread throughout Nigeria and is now a national issue. Aloba stated that the right thing should be done at the right time concerning the DNA. In his words: “This thing has become a majority thing, not only Nigeria. So they should do the proper thing at the proper time.  

Senate amends rules, stops first timers from becoming president, deputy The Senate on Tuesday amended its standing rules to prevent first-time senators from contesting for the office of the President of the Senate and that of the Deputy President of the Senate. The amendment was carried out at the plenary after the Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, moved a motion for the amendment of standing rules to accommodate new standing committees. The motion, which was seconded by the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Simon Mwadkwon, overwhelmingly received support of all the senators across all political affiliations when the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio put on voice vote. At the plenary, also, the Senate carried out nine other amendments aimed at accommodating new standing committees. As shown in its motion, the Senate created the Committee on Atomic and Nuclear Energy, which would oversee the Nigeria Nuclear Energy Regulatory Commission, Nigeria Atomic Energy ...

Messi to play against Barcelona in farewell match Inter Miami managing owner, Jorge Mas, has revealed he is planning to play a game at Barcelona to allow Lionel Messi bid farewell to his fans. Since Messi left the La Liga champions for Paris Saint-Germain in August 2021, there has been talks of a tribute match to honour him. Mas told Marca: “I gave [Messi] my commitment that I will do everything possible in the coming years so that he has the opportunity to say goodbye to his fans in Barcelona. “Inter Miami will go [to Barcelona] or we will have some kind of match. Messi’s departure from Barcelona was not to his liking, he could not say goodbye to his club, which welcomed him as a child, and I think the circumstances were not what Lionel wanted.” Barcelona president, Joan Laporta, has previously said it would be fitting for Messi’s tribute to coincide with the official opening of the revamped Spotify Camp Nou stadium, planned for the 2025-26 campaign. The La Liga champions are playing ...

ALAMUTU MARKET AT MUSHIN SEALED FOR SANITATION CONCERNS … LAWMA clears illegal trading activities at Yaba Railway corridors The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has sealed Alamutu (Ologede) Market located at Idi-oro, Mushin, over poor sanitary conditions and improper waste disposal practices around the market. The Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the measure was part of LAWMA's on-going efforts at combating pervasive filth in markets across the state, adding that high sanitary standards were imperative for all markets, for wholesome health of traders and customers. He said, "It is paramount that we maintain a hygienic environment in our markets. This action is not just a response to Alamutu Market's conditions, but a part of LAWMA's ongoing commitment to ensuring that markets in Lagos meet the required standards of cleanliness and sanitation." He noted that the enforcement action followed the recent closure of several other marke...

Pastor Dies As Church Building Collapses In Benue  A pastor with the Dunamis Church in Markudi, Benue State, was said to have died after the church building collapsed during a prayer session.  The sad incident happened on Monday.  Four others, who were with the pastor when the building collapsed, reportedly sustained varying degrees of injuries.  Confirming the sad incident to journalists on Tuesday, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Bartholomew Onyeka, said, "Something like that happened, just one person died in the process.  "You know when debris falls on people like that, the immediate reaction is what happens to the victims. So, people who rushed there were able to rescue four people; unfortunately, one person died.  "The injured persons are responding to treatment in a hospital where they were taken to.". THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT: Gov Alia storms site of collapsed building, blasts Dunamis leadership The Governor of Benue State, Fr Hayicnth Alia, has...

President Tinubu Communicates the Senate seeking confirmation of three additional ministerial Nominees Namely DR Jamila Bio, Balarebe Abbas and Olawale Olawande   President Bola Tinubu has transmitted three additional names of Ministerial nominees to the Senate. The three nominees are Jamila Bio, Balarebe Abbas and Olawale Olawande. This is coming barely three months after the upper chamber of the National Assembly confirmed 45 nominees with various portfolios. Balarebe Abbas is the current SSG to Governor Uba Sani and also held same position under former Governor El-Rufai. This is coming after the Nigerian Senate rejected the nomination of Mallam Nasiru El Rufai as ministerial Nominee from Kaduna state. Balarebe Abbas Lawal is the current Secretary to the Government of Kaduna State.  

 CLAIMS OF POOR FEEDING OF TROOPS AT FRONTLINE: COAS ORDERS INVESTIGATION The attention of the Nigerian Army (NA) has been drawn to a recent claim of poor feeding of troops at the frontline in the North East Theatre of operations.  It is crucial to point out to the general public that the welfare of troops under the present leadership of the NA takes a premium place amongst other important schemes and considerations as it is one of the vital pillars of the COAS Command Philosophy which is to provide "Sound Administration" in order to ensure a highly motivated force. The NA therefore takes these allegations very seriously and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja has directed immediate investigation into the complaints to ascertain its veracity and unravel the circumstances. The NA wishes to assure the public  and all NA personnel that a thorough investigation will be conducted to get to the bottom of these claims. The NA has always prioritized ...

  REFUTAL OF DISSEMINATION OF FAKE NEWS PURPORTEDLY RELEASED BY NIGERIAN DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS The Nigerian Army (NA) has noted with utmost concern the deliberate and concerted efforts by some fifth columnists who want to mislead the public by disseminating inaccurate and false publication purported to have emanated from Nigerian Defence Headquarters of an impending operation to be conducted in Benue, Taraba , Plateau and Kogi states. Without any ambivalence, the general public is to please note that the information conveyed in the said document is outright falsehood  calculated to spread fake news in an effort to create undue tension and undermine the NA in the discharge of its constitutional roles.   A close scrutiny of the fake press release with a fake Army letter head indicates a non-existent nomenclature in the Armed Forces of Nigerian (AFN), which is "THE NIGERIA DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS ABUJA SECTOR (1) OPERATION WHIRL STROKE" .  Additionally, there is no suc...

WAEC To Take Stance On Withheld Results The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has initiated the 76th meeting of the Nigeria Examinations Committee to deliberate on cases of malpractice and irregularities arising from the conduct of 2023 WASSCE for school candidates. The body disclosed this via its official X handle. WAEC, while announcing the results of WASSCE in August 2023, noted that a total of 263,803 results were withheld due to examination malpractice and irregularities. Out of a total of 1,613,733 candidates that sat for the examination, the results of 262,803 candidates are being withheld thereby necessitating the ongoing deliberations to determine the fate of the students.  

 WHO Supports Borno To Vaccinate Over 2M Against Polio Borno State Government has commenced a 10-day vaccination campaign on Franctional doses of poliovirus vaccine (fIPV) and novel poliomyelitis vaccine (nOPV) across the twenty seven local government areas in the state. State Commissioner for Health and Human services, Professor Baba Malam Gana said the vaccine type-2 was targeting children from 0-59 months. Represented by the Director Disease Control and Immunization, Dr Aliyu Shettima said the vaccination team would be situated in fixed and strategic locations including schools, markets, orphanage homes, motor parks, and other public gatherings.  According to him, the vaccination campaign is targeting more than 2 million children across the state, including those situated in hard-to-reach areas.  "traditional and religious leaders present here will play a vital role in achieving the overall objective of this campaign. And I also want to appreciate partners for their co...