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I’ll Ensure N/Assembly Creates Constitutional Role For Traditional Rulers – Tinubu President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has promised that his administration would work with the National Assembly to create a constitutional role for traditional rulers in the country. Tinubu stated this on Sunday in Ondo town at the 70th birthday celebration of Oba Victor Kiladejo, the Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, held at the Diocese of Ondo (Anglican Communion), Cathedral Church of St. Stephen in Ondo City. The president, who was represented by the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, assured the traditional rulers that his government would promote peace and security in their respective domains to help enhance their rich and cultural heritage. Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, in his congratulatory message, said the Ondo monarch’s counsel to his administration has been found invaluable and development-focused. Remarking, Oba Kiladejo, who appreciated Tinubu for the honour of attending his 70th birthday and 17th an...

Ashimolowo tasks FG on poverty alleviation   President of Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC), Matthew Ashimolowo, the convener of Christ Compassion for Rural World (CCRW), has charged the Federal Government to create short, medium and long term measures to address the chronic poverty in Nigeria. He also advised the Federal Government to adopt ‘Keynesian economics’ to boost production. He disagreed that Nigeria has a favourable ease of doing business, and noted that Nigerian business owners are harassed by federal and state revenue collection agencies. “In the short-term, government should apply ‘Keynesian economics’, which argues that government should encourage industries to overproduce and then buy the excess, that way, there will be production, when government buys off the excesses and gives to the poor. “In the medium term, the government should take away the power of over-empowering few very rich men that we keep celebrating as multi-billionaires meanwhile they can...

Kebbi Begins construction of N3.8bn Yauri Road Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, has flagged off the rehabilitation of the N3.8 billion Yauri Township Road. Flagging off the projects at Yauri Market, the governor promised to continue to support the people and provide them with the dividends of democracy. Governor Idris stated that the contract awarded to China Zhounghou Nig. Ltd. would cover 5.1 kilometres. Also, the Emir of Yauri, Dr Zayyanu Abdullahi, thanked the governor for fulfilling the promises made during the electioneering campaign. Earlier, the State Commissioner for Works and Transport Engineer, Abdullahi Umar Faruk, explained that the scope of work for the project includes complete scarification of existing carriageways, construction of RC drains and culverts, provision of subbase and base courses, provision of MCI and asphalt overlay, shoulder surface dressing, and desisting of existing drains.  

Inflation to hit 30% by December 2023, KPMG Nigeria predicts KPMG Nigeria says it anticipates that the current inflationary pressure in Nigeria will persist till the end of 2023. In September 2023, headline inflation rose to 26.72 percent — up from 25.80 percent in the previous month. The figure marked the ninth consecutive rise in the country’s inflation rate this year. In its November report on Friday, titled ‘Macroeconomics Review H1 2023 & Outllook for H2 2023’, the multinational firm projected that the trend will continue till December 2023. According to KPMG, headline inflation will rise to about 30 percent by December this year. “Headline and food inflation are unlikely to ease soon as the depreciation of the naira continues to reinforce the inflationary impact of fuel subsidy removal via higher input prices and production costs caused by imported inflation,” the report said. “Specifically, our model suggests that the combined influence of fuel subsidy removal and foreign ex...

 ‘I did not call for Tinubu’s probe ‘ – House committee chairman Gagdi The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Navy, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, has described reports in some sections of the media that he called for a probe of President Bola Tinubu over subsidy removal savings as mischievous. He noted that it is not in his character to use certain words or impute any motive concerning this administration that is working to elevate Nigerians out of poverty and make things work better for the majority of the people. The report alleged that Gagdi, in an interview with BBC Hausa Service, said the president would be held to account for subsidy removal savings, a claim he has denied. However, Gagdi, in a statement issued on Sunday, urged the media to be thorough in its reporting and not lose its integrity, especially when it involves translation. The lawmaker maintained: “The report quoting me to have allegedly said President Tinubu would be probed over the subsidy removal was mi...

SUSWAM DECRIES CONFLICTING COURT JUDGEMENTS ON ELECTORAL CASES, SAYS JUDICIARY NEEDS SOME TUNING UP 12th November Former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam has expressed concerns over conflicting interpretations of electoral laws by different panels in the judiciary. In an interview on Arise TV, Suswam reacted to the recent Appeal Court ruling which overturned his election victory at the tribunal level. He said while he accepts the verdict, the judiciary needs to address the problem of varying interpretations of the same laws by different panels. On the specific sections, Suswam cited Section 137 of the Electoral Act which deals with proving irregularities and alternative results. He said in his own case, the tribunal interpreted it one way while the Appeal Court took a different view, unlike in the case of Senator Abbo which had similar facts but got a favorable judgment. Suswam presented alternative results corroborated by field evidence which INEC did not object to. But the Appeal ...

INEC Fixes Nov 18 For Fresh Elections In 59 Kogi Polling Units The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says fresh polls will be conducted in 59 polling units in the Ogori/Magongo Local Government Area of the state. According to the electoral umpire, the fresh election will be held next Saturday, November 18, 2023. INEC National Commissioner, Mohammed Haruna, announced this in a statement on Sunday night. Already, election results from 18 of the 21 local government areas in Kogi State have been collated as of Sunday evening. So far, results from Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ankpa, Bassa, Dekina, Idah, Ijumu, Kabba/Bunu, Kogi, Mopa-Muro, Olamaboro, Ofu, Okehi, Omala, Ogori/Magongo, Okene, Yagba East and Yagba West LGAs have been announced. Results of Ibaji, Igalamela-Odolu, and Lokoja LGAs are being awaited by the State Returning Officer, Prof Johnson Urama, who is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The candidate of the Social Democratic Party (...

Melaye Calls For ‘Total Cancellation’ Of ‘Shameful’ Kogi Gov Poll  Dino Melaye has called for the cancellation of the Kogi State governorship election, describing the conduct of the exercise as “shameful”.  The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s candidate in the election said this during a press conference in Lokoja on Sunday just as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) collates results for the poll. “I will start by condemning in its totality the conduct of the elections yesterday and outrightly call for the total cancellation of the election because that was not an election,” the PDP candidate said. “It is shameful that the unhealthy INEC refuse to realise, ameliorate or palliate the problems they created in the last presidential and governorship elections. “Yesterday in the five local governments of the central senatorial district in Kogi state, there was no election. Surprisingly, accreditation was done manually, the BVAS was not used. Prepared sheets manifes...

Ogun Agro-Cargo Airport Will Be Commercially Viable-Abiodun Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun has said the state owned Agro-Cargo International Airport is destined to be a game changer in the nation's aviation sector. Prince Abiodun said that because of the facilities in place at the airport, which begin operations before the end of the year, many companies have approached the state to relocate there, paving the way for the airport to be a commercial success in the aviation industry. The governor spoke in a chat with newsmen at the weekend. According to him, with the longest runway, the biggest apron and control tower, the cargo airport is destined to be the best in the country. "We have been approached by cargo companies that now want to relocate where their cargoes are being delivered to, and ship into Nigeria from where it is presently, simply because they have seen the size of our apron at the airport, which is 84,000 square metres. It is four or five times larger th...

Gov. Yahya Bello and His Successor In KOGI Government House. Usman Ododo Visits Governor Yahaya Bello At The Kogi State Government House, Celebrates Victory At Sight Usman Ododo Visits Governor Yahaya Bello At The Kogi State Government House, Celebrates Victory. Update: APC in clear lead with over 200k votes as INEC adjourns collation of three remaining Kogi LGAs All Progressives Congress is clearly leading by a significant margin in the results of the 18 Local Government Areas of Kogi State declared so far by the Independent National Electoral Commission.   APC flagbearer, Usman Ododo, has won in 11 LGAs,his Social Democratic Party rival, Murtala Ajaka has won in six, while Leke Abejide of African Democratic Party has clinched only one LGA. Ododo has so far polled 409,450 votes, Ajaka 208,503 while Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party has polled 41,925 votes. Below are the LGAs announced so far: Okehi APC 53,0623 PDP: 2,722 SDP: 153 Yagba East APC: 7,096 PDP: 2,615 SDP: 312...

Abuja airport runway closed as Aero aircraft crash-lands A Boeing 737 passenger jet belonging to Aerocontractors Airlines crash-lands at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Sunday morning. Although no injury or fatality was recorded, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, an agency of the Federal Government, confirmed that the aircraft got involved in a “serious accident” around 10.47 am upon arriving at the NAIA from Lagos. The Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NSIB, James Odaudu, confirmed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, adding that investigations into the accident. “The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has been notified and has commenced an investigation into a serious incident involving a Boeing 737 with nationality and registration marks 5N-BYQ belonging to Aerocontractors Airlines, which occurred around 10:47 am (local time) on November 12, 2023. “The aircraft upon landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja from...

 IGBOS: WEALTH GOTTEN BY FORCE GOES BY FORCE  _This paper, Igbos: 'Wealth Gotten By Force Goes By Force' was presented by Prof Nkechinyere Nwokoye of the Department of Igbo, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, at the Prof Kenneth Dike Library, Awka, on November 8, 2023, during a ceremony to mark this year's 'Asụsụ Igbo Ga-Adịrịrị'. Asụsụ Igbo Ga-Adịrịrị' is an annual program organized by Prof Kenneth Dike Library, Awka, to promote Igbo language that is being threatened by extinction. The paper focuses on the import of acquiring wealth through hard work. It discourages the quest to get rich quick among Igbo youths which has pushed many into various evil practices to acquire wealth just to show that "they have arrived". It further highlights intelligence, physical strength and good health, among others as things that need to be cherished by Igbos, not just wealth in terms of money, cars and landed property._ _Translation was by Rose Oranye of the M...

*Make Children Available For Polio Vaccination* -  Anambra Govt Appeals To Public    By Chukwudi Nwauba/Nnedinma Okeke The Anambra State Government, through the Ministry of Health has appealed to the public to make their children available to receive the Polio Vaccine during the immunisation exercise ongoing across the state. The state's Commissioner for Health,Dr. Afam Obidike, who made the appeal during a press conference in Awka, to flag off the polio immunization campaign, reiterated Gov. Charles Soludo's firm commitment in tackling health related issues in the state. ``The polio vaccination starts on Saturday, 11th November to end Tuesday, 14th November, 2023.   ``We are commencing the polio vaccination for children in order to check the spread of the virus from neighboring state,  Enugu State.’’ The commissioner explained that the exercise is being implemented by the state's Primary Health Care Development Agency in partnership with the World Health O...

 APGA Orumba-North inaugurates new LGA  executive. By Chioma Ezeiru / Charity Okechukwu  The Orumba-North All Progressives Grand Alliance(APGA) political party has  inaugurated the new local government party  executive and the ward chairmen of various communities in the area. Speaking at the event at Ajalli the Chief of staff, Anambra State government, Mr Ernest Ezeajughi, said the party's inauguration ceremony started at the national, state and  now to the  local government level, Stressing that with the current national chairman of the party, Mr Sly Ezeokenwa there is no more division in APGA.  "We have done the inauguration ceremony at the national and state level and today it is being done  at the local government level. I am very proud that APGA is at the helm of affairs of the state. I thank everyone for working hard in making our party a success.  "My appreciation also goes to our governor, Prof. Charles Soludo CFR, who is the lea...

Nollywood Actor, Okweye Marries Traditionally in Anambra   Nollywood Actor, Mr. Chukwunekwu Okweye popularly known as ‘Jack Neko’ has married his heartthrob, Miss Favour Obieze at Agulu, Anaocha Local Government of Anambra State. According to Mr. Okweye, he met his wife while attending a friend’s church at Enugwu-Ukwu in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State from where their love blossomed after about a year leading to their marriage. His wife, Favour expressed happiness that the journey of love reached the climax today and prayed for a successful and fruitful marriage journey. The Managing Director of ABS, Sir Chido Obidiegwu who highlighted the popular saying that “Love is blind”, advised the couple to be tolerant and always renew their marriage vows at all times. More photos below. 

“ They told me with the kind of music we do , we can’t get a Grammy , but just see , the whole family got nominated “ Olamide  Sometimes you just need to keep pushing . Imagine the number of people who denied Asake because he sings in Yoruba . People bashed him when Libianca defeated him at the BET awards . They said his music ends only in Nigeria .   What ever you are doing today , pay no attention to what people say . They will try to discourage you but don’t listen . One day the world will celebrate you .

No African artist bigger than Burna Boy – Grammy organisers The Recording Academy, organisers of the Grammy Awards, have postulated that there is no Afrobeats star or African artist who is “bigger” than Nigerian singer Damini Ogulu, aka Burna Boy. The Academy made the assertion in a statement published on its website on Saturday, congratulating Burna Boy and other nominees for the newly created Best African Music Performance category at the 2024 Grammys. The Grammys said Burna Boy is “firmly in his imperial era” havimg collaborated with “global stars such as Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber,” and also earned his first UK No. 1 album this year with “the classic hip-hop influenced I Told Them…, featuring appearances from 21 Savage, J. Cole, RZA, and GZA.” The Academy said, “There’s not a bigger star in Afrobeats, or even the whole of Africa itself, than Burna Boy. He nabbed two consecutive Best Global Album GRAMMY nods for his albums Twice as Tall and African Giant, and he’s also collaborate...

One Particular Day, A Judge Was To Jail Me In LAG, He Deliberately Seized The Case For Friday — Femi Falana Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, recounted an incident where a judge in Lagos appeared to manipulate the timing of a case against him. Falana revealed that the judge intentionally scheduled the proceedings for Friday, anticipating that if he (Falana) were to be jailed, he would have to wait until Monday morning to file an appeal. He revealed that on the designated day, approximately 28 lawyers, led by the late Alawaka Fasuru, appeared in court, turning the tables on the judge. Speaking in an interview with Sahara TV, Falana stated that when the judge finally emerged at 11 o'clock, Alawaka Fasuru, in a dignified manner, challenged the judge's lack of apology for the delay. Falana disclosed that Alawaka Fasuru asserted that the judge should "do the needful" and indicated that an apology was expected. He added that the judge responded defensively, emphasi...

 Nigerian Army Captain Reportedly Commits Su!c!de In Akwa Ibom, Family Suspect Foul Play Captain in the Nigerian Army identified as Alphonsus Alexander Kalthy Bazza, has reportedly committed Su!c!de in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital. A relation of the deceased soldier told SaharaReporters on Sunday that the lifeless body of Captain Bazza, who recently became a father, was found hanging from a tree in a bush on Saturday night. The family source described his death as ‘mysterious and suspicious,’ adding that the cause of death had not been ascertained as he left no suicide note for either his wife, elder sister or any other member of his family.  

Press Release The Commission is pleased to announce that its Supervisory Presiding Officer, Ms Ebehireme Blessing Ekwe, who was abducted on the eve of the Bayelsa State Governorship Election was freed yesterday. In the attached picture: Ebehireme (middle) is flanked by the National Commissioner supervising Bayelsa State, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu (L) and the State’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Obo Effanga. More photos below. 

INEC suspends election in nine wards of Kogi LGA over malpractice     The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has suspended election in the nine wards in Ogori Magongo LGA of Kogi state due to cases of electoral malpractice.  Mohammed Haruna, INEC’s national commissioner and member of information and voter education committee, announced the suspension of the election in a statement on Saturday evening. The off-cycle governorship elections were held on Saturday in Bayelsa, Kogi, and Imo states. Haruna said irregularities such as completed result sheets before voting, and other serious issues were recorded in nine wards. He said the incidents in the affected areas are being investigated, adding that the next course of action would be announced in 24 hours. “The commission has received reports from our officials in Kogi state on incidences of electoral malpractices, particularly the incident of result sheets completed before voting,” the statement reads....