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Hard times: More women venture into commercial transportation for survival With the present economic situation, many women are beginning to act out the popular saying that ‘what a man can do, a woman can also attempt’. This is as many women are now taking to trycycle, otherwise known as keke, driving. Economy & Lifestyle discovered that there is now an influx of women venturing into keke driving in short distance routes like Ikotun to Cele Bus stop, Ikorodu areas of Igbogbo, Ijegun, Abaranje, Surulere, among other routes in Lagos State. One will wonder how these women survive amidst the hustling and bustling in the state. Mrs. Eunice Afolabi, a fashion designer now turned commercial tricycle (keke napep or maruwa as popularly called) driver is one among many of the women in the business who spoke to Newsmen. According to her, “I have been in this job for over a year now. It has not been easy. Two years ago, I was selling corn and other seasonal food items. “But there was no gain an...

PRESS RELEASE IGP HOLDS PRODUCTIVE MEETING WITH INL ASSISTANT SECRETARY - Discusses Areas of Partnership for Professional, Effective, Digitalized Policing Services The Inspector General of Police, Ag. IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, NPM, Ph.D., as part of the professional working visit to the United States for the 130th Annual International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Conference, held a significant and productive meeting with the Assistant Secretary of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Service (INL) of the United States, Todd Robinson. The meeting, which took place on 15th October 2023, at Hilton Hotel, Downtown, San Diego, addressed a range of critical issues, collaborative initiatives, and mutual support aimed at enhancing law enforcement and public safety in Nigeria. During the discussions, the IGP highlighted several key areas of focus and collaboration, including the Special Intervention Squad in addressing critical security challenges in Nigeria. He expressed gr...

 Bad Road: I Was Stuck In Ogun For Hours – Akpabio Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has lamented the pain and hardship motorists plying the Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta expressway go through due to the deplorable condition of the road. Akpabio said he was stuck in traffic for over two hours on the road while going for the 2023 Yewa Cultural Festival held in Ilaro, Ogun State. The Senate President said this at the grand finale of the Yewa Cultural Festival in Ilaro in the Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State on Saturday, October 14, 2023. Akpabio, who was accompanied by 70 senators to the event, said he insisted on driving to the venue for him to have first-hand experience of what people go through on the road every day, adding that it took his team more than two hours to drive to Ilaro from Lagos. He added that the Senate will give the necessary support to the Ogun State Government on the reconstruction of the road and other deplorable federal roads in the state. He said: “He sa...

 Anambra State Government Taskforce Demolishes Illegal Structures In Onitsha, Environs, Reads Riot Act To Recalcitrant Developers Anambra State government has pulled down illegal attachment structures and shops in Marine Modern Market, Onitsha. The joint taskforce removed the structures located on number 11 Gohehol Avenue, Marine Modern Market Onitsha in Onitsha South Council Area. The action was to stop the activities of an unidentified developer who go about indiscriminately erecting structures and shops in the market. Recall that the Taskforce had served stop work notice on the developer who remained adamant. In an interview with ABS the leader of the Taskforce, Barr. Chike Mmaduekwe said that the developer who has been warned severally instead went about attaching structures to old ones in such a way that is contrary to the law of the state. Barrister Maduekwe further appealled to wealthy developers in the state to support the government in developing the state using the buildi...

All is set for the construction of the Lagos Film City – one of the Legacy Projects of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration.  The groundbreaking of the N100m project has been scheduled for Wednesday in Ikosi Ejinrin, Lagos East Senatorial District. Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka broke the news at the weekend, saying the approval for the groundbreaking shows that Lagos will witness bigger projects in Mr. Sanwo-Olu’s second term.  The proposed Lagos Film City, which promises to be the biggest in Africa, will sit on 100 hectares of land. It will be a major boost for the creative industry, which has the potential to offer jobs to thousands of our youths. The project will be financed by Private Public Partnership (PPP). “It will serve as an all-in-one facility – with leisure, entertainment, and learning infrastructure. It will also have accommodations and numerous state-of-the-art studios to support television, radio and film, rang...

In line with the ongoing construction of the Opebi Link Bridge, the Lagos State Government has adjusted the traffic diversion plan for the reconstruction of Thomas Ajufo inwards Sheraton Link Bridge axis from Monday, 16th October, 2023 for the duration of 4 weeks. Consequently, the following alternative routes will be available to motorists during the diversion period. Motorists heading towards Opebi Road will be allowed to use one side of the Opebi Road Carriageway as the construction requires the second lane to be closed. Also, Motorists heading towards Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way from Allen Avenue/Toyin Street will make use of Toyin Street via Ola Ayinde Street to connect to Ikeja Under Bridge and continue their journeys. Advisory: Motorists are advised to obey traffic signs and the directives of relevant traffic management authorities to ensure a continuous flow of traffic. Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation.

MALLAM ISAH GAUSU REFUTES RUMOR GOING AROUND THAT HE DEMANDS LITIGATION FEE FROM A LADY A Bida-based Islamic scholar Mallam Isah Muhammad Awwal popularly known as Isah Gausu has refuted a baseless rumor going around that he allegedly demanded fifty thousand Naira (N50,000) from a girl selling fried soybeans at Dzukogi Esso Bida. Mallam Isah revealed to RukotoTV that the rumor is fake news, adding that he has not in any way or at any time demanded any money from any girl or anybody, but only sought legal redress through a law court because of a physical assault on one of his relative last  Monday by some people from the trespasser's house when his relative was returning home. He went memory lane to reveal that the place in dispute was an entrance of a house "Katamba" which was built and expanded to land belonging to Mallam Isah's parents by the girl's maternal grandfather some years ago. He said the trespass at that time years back, was because the girl's mater...

Court Jails Two for Selling fake Patience Jonathan’s gold in Maiduguri The Maiduguri Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,  EFCC, on Thursday, September 28, 2023 secured the conviction and sentencing of  Goni Muhammad and Seidu Seriki Hamani to seven years imprisonment, for offering fake gold belonging to former First Lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan to their victims. They were arraigned on May 16, 2022, before Justice Aisha Kumaliya of the Borno State High Court, Maiduguri, on two- count charges bordering on conspiracy and obtaining under false pretence to the tune of N 26, 492,000 (Twenty Six Million, Four Hundred and Ninety Two Thousand Naira) only. One of the counts reads: “That you, Goni Mohammad and Seidu Seriki Hamman sometimes in January, 2020 at Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, did obtained 2 grams of gold at the rate of N26, 492,000.00 (Twenty Six Million Four Hundred and Ninety Two T...

EFCC Arraigns “Mama Boko Haram”, Two others for N150m Fraud The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned   Aisha Alkali Wakil (a.k.a Mama Boko Haram) alongside Tahiru Saidu Daura and Prince Lawal Shoyode w before Justice Umaru Fadawu of the Borno State High Court, Maiduguri, on two -count charges bordering on conspiracy and cheating to the tune of N150,000,000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Million Naira only). Count two of the charges reads: “That you Aisha Alkali Wakil, Tahiru Saidu Daura and Prince Lawal Shoyode, while being the Chief Executive Officer, Programme Manager and Country Director respectively of Complete Care and Aid Foundation, (a Non-Governmental Organisation) and Saidu Mukhtar (at large) sometimes in August, 2018 in Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly induced one Alhaji Bulama Bakki CEO Bakki Commodity Investment Company Limited and Ngumati Investment Company Limited under the guise of executing...

Stop Parading Yourself As Awka's Traditional Ruler -Soludo Warns Ndigwe, Insists Nwosu Remains Only Recognized Monarch In Awka The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has prevailed on Chief Austine Ndigwe to desist from parading himself as the Traditional Ruler of Awka. Governor Soludo who handed down the warning while attending Chief Ndigwe's birthday celebration in Awka, insisted that the only person recognized as the traditional ruler of Awka is Obi Gibson Nwosu. The Governor noted that in order to return peace, unity and progress to Awka, all hands must be on deck, calling on Chief Ndigwe, the youths and the entire Awka Community, to join forces with his administration to develop the state. He revealed that his government is working on giving Awka a facelift as a befitting capital city, such as the ongoing construction of internal roads in Awka, Government House and Lodge, leisure hub and amusement park, among others and applauded Chief Ndigwe for doling out p...

 World Sight Day: NOA embarks on Walk for Sight Campaign By Nkiru Mbunabo/Uche Azuka The Anambra  State chapter of the Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA)  on October 12, embarked on "Walk for sight campaign"  to mark this year's World Sight Day in Onitsha. The  theme for this year's world sight day is titled "LOVE YOUR EYES AT WORK" As it implies, yet a profound reminder of the precious gift of sight that is often taken for granted.. According to World Health Organization (WHO), globally over two billion people are visually impaired or blind, of which at least one billion people's vision impairment can be prevented. In an interview with the Anambra State chairman of the Association, Dr. Chidiebele Ezeanowai, he said that the world sight day is marked every second Thursday in October annually and they engage in a one week activities to mark the celebration. According to him, they partnered with Onitsha North and Idemmili North Local Government for free...

  BENUE GOV MOURNS CATHOLIC PRIEST WHO SLUMPED AND LATER DIED Alia prayed to God to grant the deceased eternal rest and grant the immediate family and the Church the fortitude to bear the huge loss. Alia, in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, described the death of the priest as a huge loss to the Church and Benue in general. The governor condoled with the Catholic Bishop of Katsina-Ala Diocese, Most Rev. Isaac Dugu, the entire Catholic faithful and the Christian community over the incident. “As a servant of God, Fr. Faustinus Gundu contributed to the spiritual growth and development of the Church and humanity for many years. His decades of service will not be easily forgotten,” Alia said. Alia, who is also a Catholic Priest, prayed to God to grant the deceased eternal rest and grant the immediate family and the Church the fortitude to bear the huge loss. Gundu was ordained a Catholic Priest in 1994. Gundu, who slumped and was later confirmed dea...

Kogi guber: I survived four assassination attempts – Dino Melaye Dino Melaye, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Kogi State, on Thursday, claimed that he survived four assassination attempts in the state. Melaye blamed the attempts on the All Progressives Congress, APC, stressing that violence is in the DNA of the party. He disclosed this while featuring on Arise Television. The former Kogi West Senator said tension has been part of the lives of the Kogi people since the APC came into power seven years ago. According to Melaye: “I have survived four assassination attempts; I have had 12 court cases of FG vs. Dino Melaye, and I have been attacked severally. It is not new, as it is in the DNA of the APC to be violent. “Kogi State is like an evil forest that needs instantaneous redevelopment and needs a messiah.” The former senator said he hopes to be instrumental in ameliorating the pains of those living in the state. He further said...

No warning before next strike, Labour tells FG The Trade Union Congress on Saturday said the suspension of its October 1 nationwide strike was a temporary move. It noted that it remained conditional upon the fulfillment of the promise by the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to fulfill the conditions enlisted in the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Federal Government and the Organised Labour. Labour also dismissed the claim by governors that they would not implement the demands in the MoU between the Federal Government and the organised labour on the grounds that governors had rolled out palliatives for state civil servants and residents before the MoU was signed. The National Deputy President of the Trade Union Congress, Tommy Etim, made these known in an interview with Newsmen in Abuja on Saturday. You will recall that the organised Labour and the Federal Government had signed a 15-point agreement in the MoU, which was made public on October 1, 2023. Speaking on repor...

Abia demolishes two storey building under construction in Aba for lack of permit Abia State Government has appealed to property developers in Aba, the State’s commercial hub to seek approval from Local Government Town Planning Authorities in the area, comprising Aba North, Aba South, Ugwunagbo, Osisioma and Obingwa, to seek approval before embarking on the construction of any building structure or business facility, to avoid loss. This directive is in line with the State Government’s Aba Urban Renewal programme, aimed at restoring the master plan of Aba, which has been erroded by illegal structures, street markets, even in residential areas. The Town Planning Authorities re-emphasised this call on Friday, after the demolition of a two storey commercial building under construction, along SAMEC Road, Ariaria, in Osisioma Local Government Area, for lack of approval. Chigozie Ahaiwe, executive secretary, Osisioma Ngwa Town Planning Authority, who led the team, explained that the proposed s...

Osimhen, Iheanacho Ruled Out Of Nigeria’s Game Against Mozambique Super Eagles duo Victor Osimhen and Kelechi Iheanacho have been ruled out of the team’s friendly game against Mozambique.  This is according to a Sunday update on the team’s X handle. Osimhen was substituted in Friday’s 2-2 draw with the Green Falcons of Saudi Arabia. But days after the tie, the team’s handlers said the Napoli forward would not be part of Monday’s Mozambique clash as a “precautionary measure on advice of the medical team”. For Iheanacho, he was excused to enable him to attend to “pressing personal issues”. Iheanacho and Osimhen were part of the clash against Saudi Arabia with the former scoring on the night. Nigeria’s game against Mozambique is billed for the Estadio Municipal de Albufeira, Portugal on Monday. The game is expected to begin by 4 p.m. (WAT).  

I stood by you when your son died – Dotun blasts Dbanj Renowned media personality, Dotun Ojuolape, known as Do2dtun, expresses frustration over alleged obstruction from D’banj and his ex-wife, who is D’banj’s sister, in seeing his own children. This scenario has been going on for weeks and has recently gotten more public. Do2dtun has been outspoken about his desire to visit his children. He told his side of the tale, adding that when D’banj sadly lost his only kid, he was a comforting presence for him. He said: “I know how much I was there for you @iambangalee when you lost your son. You know the pain of losing a child but you are now the instrument of discord and wickedness in mine. You could not even make it down to your son’s burial but Taiwo and I were there throughout. “We prayed for hours hoping he comes back to life. I cried like a baby for yours but now you have forgotten so soon. “You see why your career never took a lift and why you can’t ever make a “HIT” song it’s cos you o...

‘It’s beyond scope of self-defence’ — China condemns Israel’s attacks on Gaza The Chinese government has condemned Israel’s attacks on Gaza saying it has gone “beyond the scope of self-defence”. According to Channel News Asia, Wang Yi, China’s foreign minister, on Saturday, said the Israeli government must “cease its collective punishment of the people of Gaza”. Yi made the remarks during a call to Faisal bin Farhan, his Saudi Arabian counterpart, as Israel plans to launch a ground assault in the Gaza strip, after telling Palestinians living in the territory to flee to the south. The Chinese foreign minister said there is a need for all parties to return to the negotiation table and desist from further escalating the conflict. “Israel’s actions have gone beyond the scope of self-defence,” he said “It should listen earnestly to the calls of the international community and the UN secretary general, and cease its collective punishment of the people of Gaza. “All parties should not take an...

  I can’t date a man who lives on Lagos mainland, says Moet Abebe Famous video jockey and actress, Laura Monyeazo Abebe aka Moet Abebe has said that she cannot date a man who resides on the Lagos mainland. She stated this on the first episode of the ‘Bahd and Boujee’ podcast, which she co-hosted with reality TV star, Tolanibaj. However, Tolanibaj stated that she doesn’t mind if her partner lives on the mainland as long as she phones him by 11 p.m. and he is on his way to her house. Moet stated that she would not want to be in a relationship with someone who would make excuses about being late or passing through police checkpoints if she wanted to see him at night. The Video Jockey said: “I’ve always said this thing, I can’t necessarily date someone that lives on the mainland. I feel like if I call him at night he’ll probably give me some story like ‘It’s too late, there’s police on the street. I can’t come.”

 INEC: We’ll transmit Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa election results according to law ...Security our major concern in Kogi guber poll – Yakubu ...Non-sensitive materials delivered to states The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, yesterday confirmed that the results of the November 11 governorship elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayesla states would be transmitted according to the provisions of the Electoral Act. Yakubu shot down an earlier statement by the Bayelsa State Resident Electoral Commission (REC), Mr. Obo Effanga, that the election result would be transmitted manually. The INEC Chairman, while monitoring the mock accreditation exercise in Lokoja, Kogi State yesterday ahead of the coming polls, said: “Please disregard whatever anyone has said about the transmission of results.” According to Yakubu, accreditation of voters during the election would be done with the aid of the BVAS machine before, and after voting would be used to snap and upload the ...

 It’s unfair my success is linked to a man – Skit maker Ashmusy Renowned Nigerian skit creator and influencer, Ashmusy, expressed her dismay regarding the tendency to associate a woman’s success with a man. During a recent interview with Punch Saturday Beats, she highlighted how society hastily links women’s achievements to men, a perspective she finds deeply troubling. The comedian said: “Linking a woman’s success to men can be annoying and hurtful. That is the reason I want to rebrand myself. It can be hurtful when a young girl works so hard, and all her efforts are linked to a man. “After I reflected on everything I had been doing so far, from my dressing to my videos, I decided to correct them by changing that narrative. I am still an entertainer and I still have to entertain in some way, but it will be done in a better way.” “The idea of rebranding myself has been in my head since 2022, but I just wanted to be sure I was ready, and also I wanted to clear all my pending deals. ...

To Address Fiscal Gap in 2023 Budget, FG Seeks Fresh $1.5bn Loan Facility from World Bank *Says Nigeria now prime destination for foreign investors  *Promises monetary, fiscal policies’ coordination*Insists Tinubu’s administration will not breach Ways and Means limits  *Finance minister emerges chair of African caucus in IMF executives  *FEC meets on Monday As part of the efforts to address the fiscal gap in the 2023 budget, the federal government yesterday disclosed that it had concluded plans to secure a fresh $1.5 billion loan facility from the World Bank. The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, disclosed this while speaking with journalists at the ongoing 2023 Annual Meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Marrakech, Morocco. Edun, who confirmed his emergence as the chair of the Africa Group 1 constituency and leader of all the African nations in the executives of the IMF, pointed out that Nigeri...