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Plateau: Appeal Court Annuls Victory Of Senate Minority Leader The Court of Appeal in Abuja has nullified the victory of the Senate Minority Leader, Simon Mwadkwon, who represents Plateau North Senatorial District. A three-member panel of justices on Sunday ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to, within 90 days, conduct a fresh election in the senatorial district. The court gave the verdict while ruling on the appeal filed by Chris Giwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Gyang Zi of the Labour Party (LP). Giwa and Zi had appealed against the judgment of the Plateau State Elections Petitions Tribunal in Jos which affirmed Mwadkwon of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the senatorial poll. The appellants had contended that Mwadkwon was not qualified to stand for an election as his party, the PDP, which nominated him during the election, had no structure to do so, having not complied with an earlier high court order for the party to conduc...

Senate To Amend 2022 Electoral Act, Make Electronic Transmission Of Result, Diaspora Voting, Others Mandatory October 22, 2023 The Nigerian Senate is set to amend the 2022 Electoral Act to allow for diaspora voting, at least for presidential elections, to enable citizens to vote, especially those on essential service abroad, such as military, paramilitary, and other security personnel abroad, Embassy staff, and other citizens. This was contained in a communiqué issued by the senate at the end of its retreat in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa-Ibom State. The new amendment will make electronic transmission of results mandatory, allow uploading of polling unit-level results and result sheets used at different levels of result collation and allow for diaspora voting, at least for presidential elections. The Senate noted that it was necessary for the Independent National Electoral Commission to be unbundled to improve its efficiency and effectiveness in the preparation and conduct of elections. The commu...

Synagogue President Stabbed To Death Outside US home The president of a Detroit synagogue board, Samantha Woll, was found dead with multiple stab wounds outside her home on Saturday morning. According to CNN, Woll was the president of the board of the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue, which is in downtown Detroit, as posted by the synagogue in a Facebook post. “We are shocked and saddened to learn of the unexpected death of Samantha Woll, our Board President,” the synagogue said. “May her memory be a blessing.” Officers were called Saturday morning about a person lying on the ground unresponsive and when they arrived at the scene, they found a “trail of blood” leading them to Woll’s home, according to a statement from the Detroit Police Department. Police believed the crime took place inside her home and officers found Woll’s body with multiple stab wounds and she was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. The Detroit Police Department said the case had been assigned to its homi...

 BENUE TO BENEFIT FROM $700M WORLD BANK CLIMATE RESILIENCE PROJECT Benue State has been selected among the 19 Northern States to benefit from the $700 million World bank assisted project for Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Land scapes (ACReSAL) to address the challenges of land degradation and climate change on a multi-dimensional scale. The project coordinator, Victor Ama, who disclosed this during the inauguration of local government Management Committees (LGPMC) in Makurdi for effective implementation explained that the mission of the project is to address environmental challenges arising from Climate Change and poor land-use practices in Northern Nigeria. According to him, “the vision is to also have strong practices and policies on ecological restoration and a climate change resilient community while the Project development objective is to increase the implementation of sustainable landscape management practices in targeted watersheds in northern Nigeria and strengthen N...

FG, BENUE GOVT BEGINS PROCESSES TO RESETTLE IDPs The Federal government in collaboration with Benue state government have commenced the processes to resettle Internally Displaced Persons, (IDPs), in the state. In that regard, the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon Betta Edu and officials of the Benue State Government led by Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management in Benue, Hon Aondowase Kunde, has carried out a joint visit to some selected IDPs camp in Kwande and Logo Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state. The Minister who was represented by the National Programme Manager, Renewed Hope Shelter for the Poor, Refugees and IDPs, Hon. Chidimma Makuachukwu, told the people that the visit was to identify areas where shelter will be provided for the displaced persons. She noted that the president is concerned about the plight of the IDPs and provision of shelter in safer environment was the first step among other measures in place by the ...

 Illeg@l Adøption: Obinabo Ręscuęs 3 month Old B@by Sold By Gr@ndmother, Appręhends Offęnders By Chidinma Ikeanyionwu  Ify Obinabo, the commissioner for Women and Social Welfare in Anambra State, has rescued a three-month-old baby who had been sold by the grandmother. The rescue occurred in response to a report by Ijeoma Nwosu, who claimed that Oluchukwu Nwosu, her mother, forcefully sold her baby soon after he was born and has since refused to tell her where he is. Following receipt of the allegation, the Women and Social Welfare Commissioner immediately took action to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. After almost a month of consistent intelligence surveillance by the State Ministry of Women and Social Welfare Awka, the offenders were caught. Speaking just moments after saving the three-month-old child, Hon. Obinabo bemoaned the fact that, despite the state government's efforts to put an end to all forms of illegal adoption, some careless people continue to practice t...

Trace Awards: Rema Beats Davido, Burna Boy, Wins Song Of The Year Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter, Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, edged out his senior colleagues in the music industry – Burna Boy and Davido – to clinch the Song of the year award at the just concluded 2023 Trace Awards. The awards which held on Saturday in Kigali, Rwanda drew musicians, artistes, fans and stakeholders to the East African country. Known for his smash hit record, Calm Down, Rema also also won the Best Global Africa Artist of the Year. Though Burna Boy, Davido and Wizkid were all nominated in the same category, the Mavin signee beat them to win the award. Davido smiled home with two awards – ‘Best Male and Best Collaboration,’ while Burna Boy bagged the Album of the Year award for his ‘Love Damini,’ project.  

Imo election: Uzodinma absent as LP, PDP, 3 other guber candidates sign peace accord Five governorship candidates of various political parties in Imo State signed a peace accord on Sunday before the Justice, Development, Peace and Caritas Commission, the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri, the National Voter’s Drive Coalition, and the Imo Advocacy Group. They pledged to ensure a credible election devoid of violence in the state during the November 11, 2023, Imo governorship election. Candidates from five political parties, including Labour Party’s Senator Athan Achonu, Peoples Democratic Party’s Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Chief Okere John Jude of the Accord Party, Maj Gen Lincoln Ogunewe (retd) of Action Alliance and Sir Anthony Ejiogu of the All Progressives Grand Alliance. All Progressives Alliance’s Hope Uzodinma, the incumbent governor, was absent at the signing ceremony. The signing of the peace accord, which took place at the Assumpta Cathedral in Owerri, Imo State capital, is designed ...

 How gunmen attacked Yahaya Bello – Kogi Govt Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state has been reported to have been attacked by yet to be identified gunmen on Sunday. The attack which was said to have occurred around Kwali area of Abuja around 4pm was said to be carried out by the gunmen dressed in military uniform. The state Commissioner of information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo made this known in a statement shortly after the attack The statement reads apart, “The Kogi State Government wishes to inform the general public that there was an assassination attempt on the Governor of the state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, CON, a few kilometres away from Abuja, on his way to an official engagement from Lokoja. “The attack occurred at about 4pm on Sunday, October 22, 2023.” “The attackers who were dressed in military uniforms waylaid the Governor’s convoy and started shooting sporadically at his vehicle and other vehicles in the convoy. It took the swift intervention of the security person...

Wike speaks on meeting with Israeli envoy, says I can’t determine country-country relationship Federal Capital Territory FCT Minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has spoken of his resolve to boost food security in the nation’s capital, Abuja, saying his meeting with the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria earlier this month was to seek partnership for farmers. The minister therefore dismissed as tissues of lies, insinuations that he expressed support for Israel against Palestine in the ongoing conflict in the region. The Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, had on Tuesday October 3 visited the FCT minister, days before the Hamas’ attack on Israel and the consequent and continued retaliation by the Jewish nation. However, in spite of the gap between the visit and the eruption of conflict between the group and Israel, some elements had accused Wike of offering Nigeria’s support to Israel. Speaking at a meeting with the leadership of the Abuja National Mosque Management Board led by the Ets...

Protest rocks Cross River community as pregnant woman and her baby die after three days in labour due to absence of doctor Protest rocks Cross River community as pregnant woman and her baby die after three days in labour due to absence of doctor Residents of Sankwala community in Obanliku Local Government Area of Cross River State embarked on a protest at the weekend following the death of a pregnant woman and her baby after prolonged labour.     The woman identified simply as Mrs. Rebecca, from Busi 5 village, died at the General Hospital in the community on Thursday, October 19, 2023, after being in labor for three days due to absence of the resident doctor.    It was gathered that the woman was rushed to the hospital and she stayed for three days without medical attention.    She eventually died with the baby in-between her thighs.     It's further alleged that the medical director of the hospital spends most of his working hours in his pr...

2023 elections: Cardinal Onaiyekan slams Mahmood, accuses him of dishonesty Bishop Emeritus of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has slammed the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, for misleading Nigerians and not being honest in the conduct of the 2023 elections. The Cardinal spoke to newsmen on Saturday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during the 10th anniversary celebration of the Jesuit Memorial College. Onaiyekan accused Mahmood of not telling Nigerians the truth, when he knew things didn’t go well. The cleric, however, insisted that the truth should prevail even as the opposition was challenging President Bola Tinubu’s victory in the court. He specifically said, “We should refuse to agree that this is a country where certificates are forged and it is okay. “We should refuse to accept a situation where elections are rigged and you are told to go to court. These things have consequences. Jesus says you shall know the truth and the truth wil...

UK court fixes Oct 23 for judgment in P&ID’s $11bn suit against Nigeria The Business and Property Court in London has fixed October 23 to deliver verdict in a case between the federal government of Nigeria and Process & Industrial Developments (P&ID) Ltd. The judgment will be delivered by Robin Knowles, a judge. P&ID had entered into an agreement with Nigeria in 2010 to build a gas processing plant in Calabar, Cross River state, but the company said the deal collapsed because the Nigerian government did not fulfill its end of the bargain. Claiming Nigeria breached the terms of the contract, P&ID took a legal recourse and secured an arbitral award against the country. On January 31, 2017, a tribunal ruled that Nigeria should pay P&ID $6.6 billion as damages, as well as pre-and post-judgment interest at 7 percent. Following the judgement, Nigeria applied for an extension of time and relief from sanctions. The application was granted by Ross Cranston, a judge of th...

Food Security: Shettima arrives US to participate in AfDB event Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived the United States of America (USA) to participate in the AfDB World Food Prize-facilitated Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue slated for Iowa. This was revealed in a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, on Sunday. As the special guest, the Vice President is due to deliver the keynote address at the event which commences on October 24th, 2023. In the itinerary of the Vice President while in the US are high stake meetings across some states of the US with manufacturers, investors and top government officials. On the Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, VP Shettima as stated earlier, will be joining the late former United Nations Secretary-General and AGRA founder, Kofi Annan; World Food Prize Laureates; Ghana President, John Kufuor and AfDB President, Akinwunmi Adesina; former ...

 Abiodun orders cow sellers, others to vacate Lagos-Ibadan expressway in 21 days Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has directed all illegal cow sellers and street traders on road setbacks along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to vacate the area within the next 21 days. The illegal traders are operating at the Kara, Isheri Warewa axis of the expressway. According to Abiodun, should the traders fail to vacate after the 21-day ultimatum, all their shanties would be demolished for the proper clean-up of the axis. The governor said the shanties erected by the traders constitute environmental nuisance and security risk to members of the public. He said the shanties also serve as criminal hideouts for street urchins and drug peddlers, “who rob innocent citizens of their valuables in broad daylight”. The clean-up, Abiodun disclosed, is in preparation for the beautification of the setbacks to complement the reconstruction of the expressway by the Federal Government. Abiodun gave the directive...

She’s best friend I’ve ever had – Will Smith says he’ll continue to support Jada Pinkett American actor Will Smith has said he would continue to support his wife, Jada Pinkett, for “the rest of my life” despite the talk show host’s recent revelation that she and her husband have been separated for seven years. Pinkett disclosed in a clip from her forthcoming NBC News primetime special with Hoda Kotb that she and her husband have been living separately since 2016. However, speaking at a press briefing, Will said Jada is “the best friend I have ever had on this planet”, stressing that he would continue to support her. He described their marriage as a “slappy public experiment in unconditional love.” “Our union is a slappy public experiment in unconditional love. Can you love somebody forever, no matter what? Can you love somebody for the rest of your life even when you don’t remember them? “Jada is the best friend I have ever had on this planet and I will support her for the rest of my l...

Obi Celebrates Appointment Of Nigerian As Health Minister In Canada The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election, Mr Peter Obi, has felicitated with a Nigerian, Uzoma Asagwara, on her swearing-in as a Health minister in the province of Manitoba, Canada. By her appointment, Asagwara also doubles as the Deputy Premier of the province. Obi, in a series of tweets shared on Sunday via his profile on X (formerly Twitter), attributed Asagwara’s success to hard work and dedication to duty. “The swearing-in of a young Nigerian, Uzoma Chioma Asagwara, as the new Health Minister and Deputy Premier of the Province of Manitoba in Canada, was heartwarming. The uplifting report again, buttresses the resourceful spirit of Nigerians,” he tweeted. “According to the report, Asagwara was the first black individual to achieve this position in Manitoba. I sincerely congratulate her for achieving this feat, which can only be earned through hard work, commitment and dedicat...

NURTW Accuses Labour Minister Of ‘Bias’ In Leadership Reconciliation There seems to be no end to the crisis that has rocked the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) as the President of the Union, Tajudeen Baruwa, accused the Minister of Labour and Employment, Solomon Lalong, of siding with the group, led by Tajudeen Agbede, in the ongoing reconciliation process of the leadership of the union. A statement signed by the General Secretary of the union, Anthony Chukwudi, said the minister held a secret meeting with the Agbede-led group, where he allegedly gave his approval for a delegates’ conference to elect a new leadership for the union. According to the statement, the directive to organise a fresh Delegates’ Conference when the tenure of the existing executive officers has not expired, contravenes the provisions of the union’s constitution. Recall that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had on Thursday also threatened to boycott any meeting with the labour ...

LASG SEALS MARKETS WITHIN TRADE FAIR COMPLEX OVER ENVIRONMENTAL INFRACTIONS …Reiterates Commitment to Zero Tolerance for Reckless Waste Disposal The Lagos State Government has sealed markets within Trade Fair Complex, located at Lagos-Badagry expressway, Ojo, over a series of environmental infractions, particularly improper waste disposal, burning of waste, which had raised concerns about public health and the well-being of people in the area. The enforcement was carried out in partnership with Lagos Task Force on Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences and the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC). The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, expressed the state government's unalloyed commitment to maintaining a healthy and sustainable environment for all residents, noting that such enforcement measures were essential to safeguarding public health and ensuring a high quality of life for Lagosians. "We cannot compromise on en...

"You're nothing but a shameless bully." Real Housewife of Lagos cast member, model Faith Morey, drags fellow cast member, actress Iyabo Ojo following the release of episode 4 of the show. The episode which aired on Friday, Oct. 20th saw a verbal attack on Morrey from Iyabo Ojo and another cast member, Mariam Timmer, over Faith's relationship with Laura Kanu. The fight was so bad, according to what Faith is telling friends, that the ladies followed to her room, but that wasn't shown for viewers to see on the show. Following the release of the episode and backlash from fans over her behavior, Iyabo Ojo took to her page yesterday to explain that her behavior was mostly an act, and she signed up to be the villain of the show. Morey, this morning, took to Instagram to call BS on Iyabo's explanation, saying it wasn't an act and the producers didn't put her up to it. She said Iyabo acted the way she did because that is who she is and the bullying she endured ...